UCSB  L I3RARY 


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MISS  LIZZIE   O.  SMITH. 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR  ; 


OB, 


THE  LIFE,  SUFFEKINGS,  AND  EELIGIOUS  EXPEKIENCE 


MISS  LIZZIE   0.   SMITH. 


REV.    E.   DAVIES, 

Author  of  "Believer's  Handbook,"  "  He  leadeth  me,"  "The  Gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,"  %c. 


"  My  life,  my  blood,  I  here  present, 
If  for  thy  truth  they  may  be  spent : 
Fulfil  thy  sovereign  council,  Lord; 
Thy  will  be  done,  thy  name  adored." 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE  AUTHOR. 

FOR    IAL0    BY    E.   DAVIES,  BEADING,   MASS.;    LIZZIE    O.   SMITH,  PHO3NIX- 

VILLE,  OT.;    J.  P.  MAOEE,  BEOMFIELD  STBEET ;  AND  CONGBEGA- 

TIONAL  PUBLISHING  HOUSE,  BOSTON,  MASS. 


To 


ALL   WHO  ARE  TREADING   IN  THE   FOOTSTEPS  OF  JESUS 


BY  BEING  MADE 


"PERFECT  THROUGH  SUFFERING,' 


IS  TOTS  BOOK  MOST  AFFEOTIONAT3.L-i 


DrUtcatrtf. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

INTKODTTCTION 9 

CHAPTER  I. 

Birth  and  early  life.  —  Sanguine  and  active.  —  School 
education.  —  Loss  of  mother.  —  Family  broken  up.  — 
Violent  cold.  —  Calomel.  —  Relapse.  —  Began  to  de- 
cline. —  Beginning  of  sorrows.  —  Wholly  confined  to 
her  bed.  —  Sinking  into  the  will  of  God.  —  Human  help 
fails.  —  No  fear  of  death.  —  God's  voice.  —  Would  you 
like  to  get  well  ?  —  Nearly  blind  in  one  eye.  —  Poverty. 

—  Neglected  private  prayer.  —  Unyielding  will.  —  Rod 
applied.  —  Kind   friends.  —  Wilderness.  —  Limbs  con- 
tracting. —  Jaws   set.  —  Reflections.  —  New   attack.  — 
Opium.  —  No  hope    of    recovery.  —  Chastisement.  — 
Eating  with  a  long  knife  and  fork. —  Seraphine    .         .15 

CHAPTER   II. 

Loss  of  pastor.  —  Many  afflictions.  —  Intense  sufferings. 

—  Sleep  gone.  —  Need  of  a  mother's  care.  —  Self-exam- 
ination. —  Besetting  sins.  —  No  hope.  —  Tears  day  and 
night.  —  Encouraging   word.  —  Wishing   for  death.  — 
Tempted  to  commit   suicide.  —  Heavy  rod.  —  Light 
dawns.  —  Novel-reading.  —  The    law  a    school-master. 

—  Deformity  of  body.  —  New  consecration.  —  Heavy 
cross.  —  Glad  thanksgiving.  —  Entire  sanctification.  — 
Joined   Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  —  Rev.  D.  Dor- 
chester. —  Great  joy.  —  Marked  answers  to  prayer.  — 
Witness  of  full  salvation.  —  Disease  of  the  head    .         .     25 


6  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  III. 

PAGE. 

Letters  from  "  The  Evangelist."  —  From  "  Boston  Re- 
corder." —  From  "  The  Congregationalist."  —  Preach- 
ing at  home.  —  Speaking  in  public.  —  Land  of  promise. 
—  Taken  violently  sick.  —  Nigh  unto  death.  —  Partly 
recovered.  —  Joined  the  church.  —  Wasting  away.  — 
Wishing  for  home.  —  Gratitude  to  friends.  —  A  dream. 

—  Grace  sufficient 34 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Reviewing  the  past.  —  Many  trials.  —  In  the  valley  of 
humiliation.  —  Chariots  of  iron.  — All  things  lawful.  — 
Furnace  of  affliction.  —  Visits  an  infidel.  —  God  fulfils 
his  word.  —  Father's  marriage.  —  New  trial.  —  Anni- 
versary. —  Family  altar.  —  Oasis  in  the  desert.  — Morn- 
ing blessings.  —  Thirty-third  birthday.  —  Sad  state.  — 
Exhortation  .........  48 

CHAPTER  V. 

Mrs.  Lawrence's  remarks.  —  Sunday  letter-writing.  — 
Extracts  of  letters.  —  Perfect  trust.  —  The  whole  will 
of  God.  —  Remarkable  answers  to  prayer.  —  Walking 
and  talking  with  God.  —  Gather  the  sheaves.  —  Ladies' 
description  of  Miss  Smith.  —  A  lesson  to  murmurers.  — 
Pastor's  remarks.  —  Always  content  .  .  .  .59 

CHAPTER  VL 

Letter  from  Mrs.  Bullard.  —  Never  a  pauper.  —  Repair- 
ing the  house.  —  One  dollar  per  week.  —  Attending 
camp-meetings.  —  The  infinite  I  AM.  —  Seventy  letters 
in  ten  weeks. —  One  tenth  to  God.  —  Letter  of  sympa- 
thy. —  Personal  piety.  —  Trial  of  faith.  —  Holy  triumph. 

—  Mother  fading ,68 


CONTENTS.  7 

CHAPTER  VII. 

PAGE. 

Gen.  Lyon's  death  and  burial.  —  Patriot's  testimony.  — 
Eternal,  immutable  truth.  —  Burning  love.  —  Illumi- 
nated valley.  —  Dr.  Lawrence.  —  Alone  with  Jesus.  — • 
Union  with  the  Lord.  —  Would  die  for  sinners.  —  Bap- 
tized in  a  cloud.  —  Longing  after  the  divine  image.  — 
Happy,  so  happy.  —  Walking  through  the  flames.  — 
Trials.  —  Mother  dies  suddenly.  —  Grief  swallowed  up. 

—  Record  of  sufferings.  —  More  perfect  lesson  of  trust. 

—  Faith  never  disappointed.  —  Centenary  offering.  — 
Father's  death.  —  Extracts  from  letters  .    81 


INTRODUCTION, 


AT  Willimantic  Camp-Meeting  (Conn.),  in  the 
year  1872, 1  met  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  She  was 
lying  upon  her  cot-bed  in  a  small  tent,  and  giving 
her  experience  in  a  very  clear  and  decisive  man- 
ner. God  was  with  her  in  deed  and  in  truth  ;  and 
the  glory  of  God  filled  her  soul  till  it  shone  upon 
her  countenance,  and  the  people  loved  to  gather 
around  and  hear  her  tell  of  the  mighty  grace  that 
had  so  perfectly  filled  her  soul  for  so  many  years. 
She  was  then  forty-eight  years  of  age,  and  had  lain 
upon  her  bed  for  thirty-eight  years,  and  was  as 
perfectly  reconciled  to  her  lot  as  though  she  was 
walking  the  streets  of  glory.  I  was  delighted  to 
see  this  manifestation  of  the  grace  of  God  and  the 
real  exemplification  of  the  power  of  perfect  love. 
It  seemed  to  me  as  though  God  had  taken  special 
pains  to  polish  this  jewel  of  grace,  and  had  put  her 
in  his  show-case,  and  left  her  on  earth  to  convince 
all  others  of  his  mighty  power  to  save. 


10  INTKODUCTION. 

A  correspondence  was  opened,  and  I  secured  a 
special  interest  in  her  prayers  for  me  in  the  mighty 
work  of  an  Evangelist,  to  which  I  was  called ;  and 
many  times  have  I  felt  the  power  of  her  prayers, 
and  have  been  comforted  with  her  precious  words 
of  encouragement.  I  will  give  a  few  of  her  letters 
in  the  body  of  the  book. 

In  the  fall  of  1873  I  was  called  to  assist  in  hold- 
ing revival  services  in  the  town  of  Eastford ;  and  I 
found  her  prayers  and  counsels  of  great  importance. 
She  was  often  in  an  agony  of  soul  for  the  salva- 
tion of  her  friends,  and  cried  to  God  day  and  night 
for  this  object ;  and  it  pleased  God  to  open  the 
windows  of  heaven,  and  to  save  some  fifty  souls 
in  about  eight  days ;  and  quite  a  number  of  them 
were  heads  of  families.  Sister  Lizzie  was  carried 
to  the  church  on  her  bed,  which  was  placed  near 
the  altar ;  and  she  was  always  ready  for  prayer, 
praise,  or  testimony.  The  Methodist  Church  in 
Eastford  was  then  under  the  care  of  Rev.  J.  W. 
Hunt,  who  was  a  zealous  laborer  in  the  cause 
of  Christ. 

At  "  the  National  Camp-Meeting  for  the  Pro- 
motion of  Holiness,"  held  at  Sterling,  Mass.,  June 
17-27,  1874,  it  occurred  to  me  that  her  biography 
ought  to  be  written,  as  she  was  in  attendance 
upon  this  meeting  and  would  testify  so  richly  for 
Christ.  There  were  a  great  many  inquiries  made 
about  her,  and  I  had  never  had  time  to  make  the 
inquiries  of  her.  So  the  last  night  of  the  meeting 


INTEODUCTION.  11 

in  the  Oxford  tent,  I  sat  down  at  my  table  by  her 
side,  and  asked  her  to  relate  her  life  and  religious 
experience.  Rev.  J.  S.  Inskip  was  preaching  that 
night ;  and  he  was  so  desperately  in  earnest  that  I 
could  hear  his  voice  ringing  out  the  word  of  God, 
and  then  the  mourners  went  forward  for  prayers, 
and  there  was  a  mighty  "  shout  of  a  King  in  the 
Camp ; "  and  souls  were  converted,  and  others 
sanctified  that  night,  —  still  I  wrote  on.  It  maybe 
well  at  this  stage  to  say,  that  Sister  Lizzie  has  a 
bedstead  about  four  feet  long  and  two  feet  wide, 
which  is  about  three  feet  high ;  and  on  this  she 
lies  day  and  night,  Sunday  and  week  day,  summer 
and  winter,  autumn  and  spring.  She  lies  sweetly 
reposing  in  the  sweet  will  of  God,  and  her  face 
often  shines  with  the  glory  of  God. 

My  design  in  this  little  book  is  to  bring  out  the 
chief  facts  of  her  life  and  religious  experience. 

1.  To  magnify  the  grace  of  God,  and  to  show 
the  rest  of  the  world  that  that  grace  is  sufficient 
for  any  one  who  will  trust  in  God. 

2.  To   show  how  much  one  human  being  can 
suffer,  and  for  how  long  a  time. 

3.  To  show  how  kind  her  friends  have  been  to 
supply  all  her  need. 

4.  And  that  Sister  Smith  may  have  the  conso- 
lation that  her  life  of  unusual  confinement  and 
suffering  has  been  the  means,  in  the  hand  of  God, 
of  helping  to  extend  his  kingdom. 

5.  And  to  show  also  how  much  care  (speaking 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

after  the  manner  of  men)  God  has  taken  to  polish 
this  precious  jewel  on  earth,  that  it  may  shine  the 
brighter  in  his  diadem  in  heaven. 

I  have  found  it  best  to  let  Sister  Smith  speak  in 
her  own  language  mostly,  that  it  might  be  her 
own  testimony. 

It  is  just  to  say  that  Mrs.  Prof.  Lawrence  had 
purposed  to  write  this  book,  and  had  collected 
materials  for  it,  but  could  find  no  publisher  ready 
to  undertake  the  publishing  thereof. 

It  seemed  to  me  the  work  ought  to  be  done ;  and 
I  commenced  it  with  faith  in  God  that  he  would 
help  me  to  lay  this  tribute  at  his  feet,  and  would 
so  bless  the  reading  of  this  book  to  thousands,  that 
I  should  have  abundant  recompense  in  heaven,  if 
I  had  none  on  earth. 

To  interest  and  profit  the  reader  at  this  point,  I 
copy  the  following  from  "  The  Ipswich  Bulletin :  " — 

"  THE  STORY  OF  A  SUFFERER.  —  The  caves  of 
the  Alps  and  the  valleys  of  Piedmont  hold  the  sacred 
du.st  of  those  who  counted  not  their  lives  dear,  so 
that  they  might  win  Christ.  The  catacombs  of 
Rome  tell  the  story  of  those  who  were  victims  of 
cruel  persecution.  The  pavements  of  Smithfield 
cover  the  charred  bones  of  men  and  women  true  to 
the  faith  ;  and  the  waves  that  dash  upon  Scotland's 
shore  still  murmur  the  triumphant  words  of  Mar- 
garet, the  Maiden  Martyr. 

"  But  not  all  martyrs  burn  at  the  intake.     Some 


INTRODUCTION.  13 

will  wear  a  martyr's  crown,  whose  faith  never 
caused  a  question.  God  even  now  deals  blow  on 
on  blow  upon  many  a  child,  and  one  day  will  give 
them  as  sweet  a  recompense  as  if  waters  swallowed 
them,  or  flames  devoured  them. 

"  The  story  of  some  of  these  has  been  written. 
Chloe  Sankton  of  Connecticut,  Sarah  Mugford  of 
Salem,  Miss  Condon  of  New  York,  and  others, 
have  caused  many  to  exclaim  '  Can  one  live,  and 
endure  so  much.' 

"  We  have  recently  heard  of  a  living  martyr 
whose  story  should  excite  the  sympathy  of  all.  In 
various  places  where  it  has  been  told,  strangers 
have  kindly  extended  a  helping  hand. 

"  The  name  of  the  sufferer  is  Lizzie  O.  Smith. 
Her  house  is  in  Eastford,  Conn.,  the  burial- 
place  of  our  brave  Gen.  Lyon.  She  was  left 
motherless  in  infancy,  and  during  her  girlhood 
lived  in  various  families,  doing  household  work. 
She  wasted  her  strength  by  labor,  and  was  dan- 
gerously ill.  The  harsh  medicines  given  affected 
the  entire  frame.  Her  limbs  became  useless  and 
distorted ;  her  eyes  nearly  sightless ;  and,  for 
many  and  many  a  year,  she  has  been  utterly  help- 
less and  dependent,  and  full  of  suffering. 

"  But  her  faith  in  God  has  been  wonderful.  It 
has  attracted  many  to  her  poverty  -  stricken 
home. 

"  It  is  said  that  strangers  shudder  when  they 
first  see  her  distorted  form  in  a  little  iron  crib, 
2 


14 


ENTKODUCTION. 


not  larger  than  a  child's  cradle ;  but  when  she 
speaks  of  her  heavenly  Father,  of  the  love  and 
tenderness  of  the  Saviour,  it  seems  like  listening 
ta  the  words  of  angels." 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR, 


CHAPTER  I. 

"  A  clod  of  living  earth, 

I  glorify  Thy  name 
From  whom  alone  my  birth 

And  all  my  blessings  came : 
Creating  and  preserving  grace 
Let  all  that  is  within  me  praise  !  " 

Miss  SMITH  was  born  in  Eastford,  formerly  a 
part  of  Ashford,  Conn.,  Dec.  23, 1823.  Her  mother 
was  a  sister  of  Dr.  Keys,  the  father  of  Gen.  Keys, 
a  commander  in  the  Potomac  Army.  She  was 
sister-in-law  to  Hon.  Mr.  Upham,  formerly  senator 
to  Congress  from  Vermont. 

The  early  life  of  Miss  Smith  was  spent  in  the 
usual  experiences  of  childhood.  She  appeared  to 
enjoy  perfect  health,  and  was  of  a  very  sanguine 
temperament,  and  more  active  than  children  in 
general,  and  could  hardly  be  kept  still.  She  en- 
joyed and  improved  the  privileges  of  a  common- 
is 


16  HISTORY   OF  A   MODERN  MARTYR. 

school  .education,  and  took  great  interest  in  her 
studies,  and  was  very  apt  to  learn.   • 

When  but  four  years  of  age  her  godly  mother 
was  taken  to  heaven,  but  not  before  she  had 
planted  much  good  seed  in  her  young  heart ;  her 
father  was  still  living,  but  in  the  neglect  of  re- 
ligion. After  her  mother's  death  the  family  was 
broken  up,  and  the  four  children  were  scattered 
into  different  families.  Lizzie  was  sent  to  live 
with  a  Baptist  family  in  West-ford.  Then  she 
went  from  family  'to  family,  wherever  she  was 
wanted,  to  do  little  chores  for  her  board :  all  this 
was  because  the  father  was  too  poor  to  meet  his 
family  expenses.  And  thus  her  life  passed  on 
till  she  was  a  little  more  than  eleven  years  of  age, 
when  she  took  a  violent  cold  which  settled  in  her 
left  eye.  A  physician  was  called,  who,  according 
to  the  old  school  of  medicine,  administered  calomel 
freely,  and  practised  blood-letting.  She  recovered 
rapidly  for  a  few  days,  when  she  took  a  new  coid, 
and  from  that  time  she  began  to  decline.  The 
physician  was  called  again,  but  his  remedies  were 
of  no  avail :  for  the  calomel  she  had  taken  helped 
to  develop  the  hereditary  rheumatism  and  scrofula 
which  was  in  her  system.  Now  the  disease  began 
to  settle  into  her  limbs,  and  commenced  in  the  right 
foot,  which  became  much  swollen  and  very  sore ; 
then  it  rose  to  her  knee,  and  soon  began  to  spread 
over  the  whole  body,  and  the  physician  declared 
her  case  beyond  his  skill.  He  advised  her  to  be 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  17 

carried  to  Stafford  Springs,  to  try  the  power  of 
mineral  water,  as  a  last  resort;  but  all  this  failed. 

This  fearful  disease  continued  to  spread  rapidly 
from  one  limb  to  another,  until  March,  1836, 
when  she  was  very  sick  and  helpless,  and  wholly 
confined  to  her  bed,  having  lost  the  use  of  nearly 
every  joint  in  her  system,  and  life  was  despaired 
of.  Her  sufferings  were  indeed  intense  in  the  ex- 
treme, far  more  than  tongue  or  pen  can  describe  ; 
so  that  many  of  her  friends  supposed  she  must  die. 
And  about  this  time  she  began  to  yield  all  to  the 
blessed  Saviour,  and  realize  a  sweet  sinking  into 
the  will  of  God.  The  Holy  Spirit  suggested  to 
her  mind  in  a  very  distinct  manner  this  pointed 
question,  — 

"  Would  you  like  to  get  well  ?  " 

Her  heart  immediately  responded,  "  Thy  will 
be  done,  not  mine." 

She  had  no  choice  between  sickness  or  health, 
life  or  death.  So  far  grace  reigned,  but  she  hid 
the  light,  and  failed  to  confess  Christ  to  her 
friends ;  and  thereby  lost  the  encouragement  and 
counsel  which  a  young  disciple  needs.  And  so 
she  stumbled  on  in  her  religious  experience,  most- 
ly in  the  dark.  On  this  she  says,  "  Oh,  how 
merciful  is  God !  There's  no  other  God  like  our 
God,  —  so  ready  to  forgive  us  all  our  heart-wan- 
derings, so  long-suffering  and  forbearing." 

She  was  at  this  time  residing  with  her  aunt, 
with  whom  she  lived  nearly  four  years,  during 

2* 


18  HISTOBY  OF   A  MODERN   MARTYR. 

which  she  had  several  physicians ;  but  human 
help  failed.  She  hung  between  hope  and  fear, 
between  life  and  death ;  but  she  had  no  fear  of 
the  results,  being  ready  to  go  or  to  stay.  Let  us 
hear  her  own  language. 

"  My  dear  aunt  watched  over  me  night  and  day, 
with  the  tenderness  of  a  mother ;  may  the  Lord 
reward  her  for  it !  and  he  will.  I  said  nothing  to 
her  of  my  feelings  on  the  subject  of  religion.  I 
have  learned  since  that  she  had  a  hope  of  my  salva- 
tion if  death  had  come.  About  this  time  a  voice 
spoke  to  me,  —  yea,  the  voice  of  God  and  asked 
again,  — 

"  '  Would  you  like  to  get  well? ' 

"  My  heart  replied  immediately,  '  Thy  will,  not 
mine,  be  done.'  I  felt  that  I  had  no  choice. 

"  My  limbs  had  now  become  somewhat  con- 
tracted and  stiffened ;  and,  as  they  did  so,  the  in- 
flammation abated.  My  health  began  to  improve, 
but  I  was  nearly  blind  in  one  eye.  I  could  now 
feed  myself  with  a  knife  and  fork  made  expressly 
for  me,  and  could  also  use  my  needle  a  little. 

"  My  father,  by  this  time,  had  spent  all  his  little 
property,  although  the  home  of  my  birth  still  re- 
mained in  his  hands.  This  he  rented  to  a  family, 
and  procured  my  board  with  them ;  consequently, 
in  April,  1840,  I  was  removed  upon  my  bed  to 
this  place.  Here,  although  the  place  was  familiar 
to  me,  yet  I  was  among  strangers.  But  my  dear 
father  was  nearer  to  me  than  formerly,  so  that  he 


HISTORY  OF   A  MODERN  MARTYB.  19 

could  visit  me  every  day,  and  my  youngest  brother 
resided  near  me. 

"  New  friends  soon  began  to  gather  about  me, 
and  many  of  them  were  professed  followers  of 
Christ ;  yet,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  the  subject  of  per- 
sonal piety  was  hardly  ever  introduced.  Oh  that 
Christians  were  more  faithful  in  this  respect !  for 
while  they  were  watering  others,  they  might  them 
selves  also  be  watered.  Yet  the  Lord  preserved 
me ;  though,  to  my  shame  be  it  spoken,  I  neg- 
lected my  private  devotions;  and,  at  times,  not 
only  ceased  to  remember  the  hand  that  supplied 
me  with  every  blessing,  but  I  also  murmured  at 
the  dispensations  of  Providence  :  still  he  loved 
me,  or  I  had  been  cut  off.-  Praised  be  his  holy 
name  forever!  for  his  loving-kindness  and  long- 
suffering  toward  me. 

"  After  boarding  for  two  years,  my  father,  feeling 
the  need  of  home  influences  in  his  declining  years, 
concluded  to  go  to  housekeeping  again.  From 
this  tune  I  date  the  commencement  of  my  greatest 
trials.  Our  means  being  limited,,  we  were  often 
without  such  female  assistance  as  I  thought  we 
then  needed ;  but  what  short-sighted  creatures  we 
are !  How  much  more  infinitely  wise  is  our 
heavenly  Father  than  we  are !  I  can  now  see 
that  I  had  just  those  things  which  it  was  best  for 
me  to  have.  I  was  naturally  possessed  of  a  very 
proud  spirit,  and  an  unyielding  will,  and  a  very 
sensitive  nature.  I  was  very  well  contented  when 


20  HISTORY   OF   A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

I  could  see  all  my  father's  wants  supplied  (for  I 
loved  him  most  ardently),  and  my  own  comforts 
well  attended  to.  My  heavenly  Father  saw  where 
I  needed  mostly  the  rod  applied,  and  he  applied 
it,  though  with  a  loving  hand ;  for  while  he  smote 
with  one  hand  he  blessed  with  the  other. 

"  He  raised  up  many  kind  friends,  and  they  min- 
istered daily  to  my  bodily  comforts ;  for  this  I  have 
ever  felt  grateful  to  them,  and  also  to  God,  who 
put  it  into  their  hearts  to  remember  me,  so  utterly 
unworthy  of  the  least  of  God's  mercies.  Should 
these  remarks  ever  reach  their  eyes,  may  they  re- 
member that  their  recording  angel  has  written 
their  kind  acts  in  the  book  of  remembrance, 
where  it  will  remain  forever. 

"  At  that  time  I  could  view  God  in  his  character 
of  love  and  mercy,  but  never  in  that  of  justice 
and  holiness.  Thus  I  remember  to  have  lived  on, 
sometimes  sinning  and  then  repenting,  and  at 
times  filled  with  the  love  of  God,  and  at  others 
wondering  that  my  wishes  were  not  gratified. 
Thus  was  the  Lord  leading  me  on  through  the 
wilderness,  to  see  whether  I  would  keep  his  com- 
mandments or  no ;  suffering  me  to  hunger,  and 
feeding  me  with  the  hidden  manna,  that  I  might 
know  that '  man  was  not  to  live  by  bread  alone,  but 
by  every  word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth 
of  God.' 

"  No  clergyman  visited  me  for  many  years.  I  had 
no  spiritual  adviser,  yet  that  was  no  excuse  for 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  21 

my  unfaithfulness ;  for  the  Lord  has  promised  to 
be  nigh  unto  them  that  call  upon  him  with  grace 
sufficient  for  them. 

"  My  limbs  continued  to  contract  and  become 
more  rigid ;  yet  my  general  health  had  so  far  re- 
covered as  to  enable  me  to  go  and  visit  my  friends 
in  the  neighborhood,  although  I  had  to  be  carried 
on  my  bed.  My  jaws  had  become  so  set  that  it 
was  with  difficulty  I  could  take  my  food.  In 
the  summer  of  1850  some  friends  advised  me  to 
have  my  front  teeth  extracted,  to  make  a  passage 
for  my  food.  I  consented,  and  they  were  taken 
out." 

Mrs.  Lawrence  reflects  as  follows  :  — 
"  Pause  a  few  moments,  dear  reader,  and  reflect 
upon  the  parts  that  have  been  narrated  with  great 
brevity  and  simplicity  of  manner.  Fourteen  years 
of  weary  days  and  painful  nights  have  been  passed 
on  that  little  cot,  and  in  the  most  helpless  condi- 
tion imaginable ;  unable  to  move  a  single  limb,  or 
turn  herself  on  her  bed,  and  suffering  much  of 
that  time  excruciating  pain;  obliged  to  lie  con- 
stantly upon  her  right  side,  and  moved  only  as 
you  would  move  a  block,  or  any  inanimate  object : 
her  joints  all  rigid,  and  even  her  jaws  set,  and  as 
almost  useless  as  though  she  never  had  any ;  and 
so  with  every  joint,  except  some  of  her  fingers  and 
one  thumb,  and  all  this  at  that  period  of  life,  when, 
of  all  others,  there  is  the  greatest  desire  for,  and 
delight  in,  the  use  of  the  physical  powers,  name- 


22  HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

ly,  between  the  years  of  eleven  and  twenty-five. 
And  then  remember  that  all  this  time  this  poor 
afflicted,  helpless  child  has  known  no  mother's 
sympathy  and  care,  has  felt  no  kind  sister's  soft 
hand  of  affection  on  her  fevered  temples ;  her  lone- 
ly days  and  wearisome  nights  have  never  been 
cheered  by  the  comforting  words,  and  the  num- 
berless little  deeds,  which  a  mother's  affection  alone 
suggests,  nor  by  the  frequent  kiss  of  a  mother's 
love. 

"  And  beside  all  this,  the  pinching  hand  of  pov- 
erty has  been  upon  her  all  this  time,  and  she  has 
lacked  what  many  would  call  the  necessities  of 
life,  and  the  attention  of  that  help  that  money  can 
procure  and  hold.  Then  she  has  been  moved 
about  from  place  to  place,  and  endured  hardships 
that  none  but  God  and  herself  can  understand  or 
tell." 

But  we  will  return  to  her  own  narrative  of  her 
eventful  life  :  — 

"A  few  months  after  this  I  visited  a  family 
some  six  miles  away,  where  I  had  resided  before  I 
was  sick.  While  there,  I  had  a  new  attack  of  the 
old  disease,  which  deprived  me  still  further  of 
the  use  of  my  hands.  I  could  neither  sew  nor  feed 
myself,  nor  even  hold  my  book  to  read.  For  about 
fourteen  years  I  had  taken  opium  to  ease  my 
pains,  until  it  had  become  a  habit  so  confirmed 
that  I  thought  it  impossible  to  overcome  it. 

"During  this  sickness  my  father    employed  a 


HISTORY  OP  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  23 

botanical  doctor :  he  did  not,  at  first,  advise  me  to 
leave  off  taking  opium,  as  it  would  cause  me  so 
much  suffering ;  but  being  very  anxious  myself  to 
do  so,  the  doctor  helped  me  what  he  could,  and 
with  the  blessing  of  God  I  succeeded  in  overcom- 
ing the  fearful  habit. 

"  Up  to  this  time,  in  all  my  trials  and  privations, 
I  had  cherished  a  secret  hope  that  I  should  some 
day  recover  my  health,  and  the  use  of  my  limbs ; 
but  all  such  hopes  now  vanished,  and  a  dark  cloud 
seemed  to  gather  over  my  future  prospects.  Sev- 
eral of  my  dearly  beloved  relatives,  that  had 
comforted  me  in  my  lonely  hours,  were  taken  from 
me  by  the  unrelenting  hand  of  death.  I  often 
looked  at  the  trembling  hand  of  my  father,  and  at 
the  furrows  which  the  hand  of  time  was  wearing 
in  his  cheeks,  and  at  his  silver  locks,  and  then  I 
would  think  I  shall  soon  be  left  an  orphan,  helpless 
and  friendless,  with  none  to  care  for  me.  Oh,  how 
my  heart  would  sink  within  me  at  the  thought ! 
None  can  tell  the  thrill  of  anguish  that  swept 
through  my  soul  at  such  moments ;  and  none  but 
God  can  know  what  my  feelings  were  at  such 
times,  unless  by  sad  experience,  from  which  may  a 
kind  Providence  protect  you,  dear  reader  !  Oh, 
unbelief !  thou  most  heinous  of  sins,  what  misery 
dost  thou  inflict  on  such  as  entertain  thee.  The 
good  Lord  saw  that  I  needed  chastisement,  and  he 
applied  the  scourge  he  had  so  often  used  before : 
but  my  heart  rebelled  against  it,  and  — 


24  HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN   MARTYR. 

"  '  Against  the  God  that  rules  the  skies 
I  fought  with  hands  uplifted  high, 
Defied  the  offer  of  his  grace, 
Too  proud  to  seek  a  hiding-place.' 

"  I  was  often  angry  at  the  rod,  and  looked  not  be- 
yond to  see  the  loving  hand  that  bore  it.  Yet  the 
Lord  did  not  utterly  consume  nor  forsake  me,  for 
he  is  a  gracious  God  and  merciful. 

"  For  about  one  year  I  remained  so  helpless  as  to 
be  unable  to  even  feed  myself  at  all,  and  I  had  lost 
the  sight  of  one  eye  completely.  Yet  the  Lord 
was  very  merciful  to  me,  in  so  far  restoring  the 
use  of  my  hands,  as  to  enable  me  to  feed  myself 
again  by  the  aid  of  a  knife  and  fork,  made  express- 
ly for  me,  long  enough  to  reach  from  the  position 
of  my  hands  on  my  stomach  to  my  mouth ;  and 
also  to  play  a  little  on  my  seraphine,  a  small  in- 
strument that  my  cousin  had  fitted  for  my  use." 


CHAPTER  II. 

"  Though  in  affliction's  furnace  tried, 
Unhurt,  on  snares  and  death  I'll  tread  : 
Though  sin  assail,  and  hell  thrown  wide, 
Pour  all  its  flames  upon  my  head, 
Like  Moses'  bush,  I'll  mount  the  higher, 
And  flourish  unconsumed  by  fire." 

"  ABOUT  tliis  time  I  met  with  another  trial. 
The  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church,  who  had 
often  visited  me,  and  showed  himself  a  true  friend, 
was  called  to  another  field  of  labor,  and  I  deeply 
felt  the  need  of  his  visits  and  counsels.  During 
these  years  of  confinement  I  suffered  many  afflic- 
tions, besides  those  that  affected  my  limbs.  I 
had  a  sore  on  my  back  which  never  healed  for  al- 
most three  years,  and  did  not  for  many  years  after, 
unless  it  was  for  short  periods. 

"  The  winter  of  1853  was  one  of  intense  suffering. 
I  had  an  attack  of  the  spinal  complaint,  which  af- 
fected my  whole  system.  Sleep  departed  from  my 
eyes,  for  days  and  nights  in  succession,  almost  en- 
tirely. I  sometimes  thought  I  should  never  sleep 
again,  till  I  slept  the  sleep  of  death.  My  father 
and  I  were  alone  much  of  the  time ;  he  did  for  me 

3  25 


26  HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

what  he  could :  but  oh,  how  much  I  felt  the  need 
of  a  mother's  gentle  nursing,  or  a  sister's  tender 
care !  But  God,  in  his  infinite  wisdom,  saw  fit  to 
deny  me  those  blessings. 

"In  the  spring  of  1853  I  began  to  reflect  se- 
riously upon  my  ways,  and  asked  myself  these  ques- 
tions, — 

"  '  Can  I  be  a  Christian,  and  live  as  I  do  ?  Did 
Christ  ever  set  such  an  example  as  I  am  setting  to 
those  around  me?  Did  ever  such  passions  as 
often  rise  in  my  heart  dwell  in  his  bosom  of  love  ? ' 
My  conscience  could  only  answer,  '  No.' 

"  I  resolved  to  make  one  more  effort  to  overcome 
my  besetting  sins,  which  were  many,  and  once 
more  I  asked  the  Lord  to  help  me.  But,  alas! 
I  soon  neglected  to  ask  him  for  that  grace  that  I 
so  much  needed.  Now  the  adversary  of  my  soul 
was  ready  to  tempt  me  to  give  up  my  hope  in 
Jesus.  And  alas !  that  I  was  too  ready  to  obey 
him.  He  said,  '  It  is  of  no  use  for  you  to  try  any 
longer  to  profess  to  be  a  Christian.'  This  I  had 
never  done  publicly  by  uniting  with  any  church, 
yet  I  had  often  done  so  to  individuals.  When  I 
was  asked  to  join  a  church  I  said,  '  I  could  not 
do  so,  for  I  should  be  a  stumbling-block  to  others, 
as  I  felt  some  had  been  to  me.'  So,  instead  of 
following  my  Lord's  commands,  to  confess  him  be- 
fore the  world,  and  ask  and  believe  for  grace 
sufficient  for  me,  I  neglected  a  plain  and  an  im- 
portant duty,  cherished  my  unbelief,  and  lost 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  27 

the  privilege  of  being  enclosed  in  the  fold  and 
fellowship  of  the  church,  and  of  having  an  un- 
der shepherd,  to  lead  and  guide  me  into  the 
green  pastures  and  beside  the  still  waters.  l  Ye 
are  a  stiff-necked  and  rebellious  people,'  God 
said  to  the  Israelites ;  and  I  felt  that  it  may  well 
be  applied  to  me. 

"  Since  I  first  believed,  I  had  at  times  enjoyed 
much,  not  only  of  the  comfort  of  love,  but  great 
joy ;  but  now  dark  clouds  gathered  about  my  brow, 
a  darkness  that  was  felt  most  keenly.  Oh, 
wretched  indeed  was  my  condition!  I  had  no 
hope  in  this  world,  nor  in  that  which  is  to  come. 
Tears  were  now  my  meat  and  drink  day  and  night. 
Yes,  in  the  language  of  Jeremiah,  '  I  have  eaten 
ashes  like  bread,  and  mingled  my  drink  with 
weeping.' 

"  A  beloved  cousin  entering  my  room  one  day, 
unexpectedly  found  me  weeping,  when  he  said  to 
me,  '  Dry  those  tears ;  be  not  discouraged ;  it  is 
always  the  darkest  just  before  day ; '  but  I  heard 
as  one  that  understood  not. 

"None  but  God  knew  the  anguish  of  my 
heart ;  for  I  hid  my  sorrows  from  others,  and  tried 
to  be  cheerful  in  the  presence  of  my  friends,  lest 
they,  too,  should  forsake  me.  I  often  wished  for 
death ;  and  the  enemy  would  sometimes  sug- 
gest the  idea  of  self-destruction.  That  was  too 
horrid  to  be  entertained  for  a  moment;  but,  if 
death  would  only  come  in  some  other  way,  I  felt 


28  HISTORY   OF   A  MODERN   MARTYR. 

that  those  I  loved  would  be  relieved  of  a  heavy 
burden,  and  I  should  be  released  from  a  misera- 
ble existence.  I  shudder  now,  when  I  think 
how  near  I  stood  to  the  brink  of  everlasting  woe. 
In  this  awful  state  of  mind  I  continued  for  about 
a  year :  I  had  now  come  to  the  bitter  waters  of 
Marah,  and  I  could  not  drink  them. 

"  I  began  to  pray  to  have  my  trials  removed  in 
some  way,  I  cared  not  how  ;  but  they  still .  re- 
mained, and  the  rod  grew  heavier  still.  I  felt 
the  smart,  but  yielded  not.  Oh  the  adorable 
mercy  and  love  of  God,  which  spared  me,  and 
did  not  cut  me  off  in  the  midst  of  my  sins  and 
rebellion  against  him,  but  still  chastened  me,  till 
I  began  to  cry  for  mercy  in  good  earnest !  Yes,  at 
last  I  yielded,  my  stubborn  will  was  subdued,  and 
I  cried  out,  '  Lord,  if  thou  canst  not  remove  my 
burdens  from  me,  give  me  grace  to  bear  them.' 

"  Now  my  prayer  was  heard  and  answered.  His 
word  was  fulfilled  which  says,  '  A  broken  and  a 
contrite  spirit  thou  wilt  not  despise.'  Hope  again 
revived ;  light  began  to  shine  upon  my  pathway, 
though  but  feebly,  like  the  dawn  of  the  morning. 
I  was  so  humbled  that  I  felt  willing  to  do  any 
thing,  or  to  be  any  thing,  if  I  might  but  have  the 
approving  smile  of  God.  I  felt  that  I  could  not 
stop  short  of  knowing  in  whom  I  have  believed. 
I  was  led  by  the  Spirit  to  ask  for  the  assurance, 
which  I  believed  to  be  the  privilege  of  every 
Christian  ;  and  God  gave  it. 


HISTORY  OP  A  MODERN  MARTYK.  29 

"  Near  to  tliis  time,  July,  1854,  a  cousin  handed 
me  a  book,  saying,  '  It  is  interesting,  and  the  tone 
of  its  morals  good.'  Some  of  the  characters  rep- 
resented were  dressed  in  the  garb  of  religion,  as 
novels  frequently  are.  After  she  was  gone,  it 
was  suggested  to  my  mind,  '  This  book  is  not 
what  you  need :  something  different  will  be  more 
profitable  for  you.'  Yet  I  commenced  reading  it ; 
but  the  voice  continued  speaking  louder  and 
louder  to  my  conscience.  I  soon  laid  it  aside, 
when  I  began  to  reason  thus,  '  I  have  read  such 
books  many  times,  and  do  not  know  that  they 
were  injurious  to  me.'  The  voice  said,  '  Some- 
thing else  would  be  more  profitable  for  you.' 
The  enemy  suggested,  '  What  can  you  say  if 
your  cousin  asks  you  how  you  like  the  book  ?  are 
you  willing  to  injure  her  feelings  by  telling  her 
that  you  have  not  read  it  ? '  But  I  realized  that  I 
must  choose  which  of  the  two  I  would  offend, 
God  or  man.  I  choose  to  make  God  my  friend. 
The  book  was  laid  aside,  never  to  be  opened  again 
by  me ;  and  I  was  blessed  in  so  doing. 

"  Crosses  one  after  another  arose,  which  I  con- 
tinued to  take  up  daily,  and  I  always  found  it  a 
blessing  to  do  so.  The  law  now  became  my 
schoolmaster,  and  ruled  me  with  an  iron  sceptre. 
I  scarcely  dared  to  speak  or  think,  lest  I  should 
sin  against  the  law.  Sometimes  I  feared  to  ask 
for  the  things  necessary  for  my  comfort,  lest  I 
should  gratify  the  lusts  of  the  flesh.  I  was  afraid 
3* 


30  HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN   MARTYR. 

to  eat  those  kinds  of  food  which  had  been  my 
favorites  in  times  past.  I  continued  in  this  state 
of  mind  till  my  body  was  brought  into  complete 
subjection. 

"  My  health  was  somewhat  improved  ;  though  at 
-  lines  my  back  was  troublesome,  so  that  it  caused 
severe  pain  to  be  moved,  or  to  have  people  step 
heavily  upon  the  floor  of  my  room.  My  limbs 
grew  more  and  more  rigid  and  contracted ;  but  my 
soul  thirsted  more  ardently  than  ever  for  the  liv- 
ing God,  so  that  my  language  was  '  As  the  hart 
panteth  after  the  water  brooks,  so  panteth  my 
soul  after  thee,  O  God  ! '  I  now  made  a  new  and 
full  consecration  of  myself  to  God,  and  resolved 
that  flesh  and  blood  should  not  prevent  me  from 
doing  any  and  every  thing  that  I  saw  to  be  the 
will  of  God. 

"  On  Thanksgiving  Day  I  felt  it  to  be  my  duty  to 
speak  to  my  dearest  earthly  friend  on  the  subject 
of  religion,  but  the  cross  was  very  heavy  to  bear. 
I  looked  at  the  cross  and  wept  much  ere  I  could 
take  it  up ;  but  I  had  put  my  hand  to  the  plough, 
and  could  I  now  look  back  ?  I  had  promised  to 
leave  all  for  Christ.  I  prayed  for  strength,  and 
went  forward  in  the  path  of  duty.  After  having 
done  my  duty,  peace  flowed  into  my  soul  like  a 
river.  Still  I  continued  praying  for  an  assurance 
antil  sabbath  morning,  when,  for  the  first  time,  I 
could  cry  in  the  spirit  and  blessedness  of  Scripture, 
'  Abba,  Father ! '  for  his  Spirit  witnessed  with  my 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  31 

spirit  that  I  was  born  of  God.  Oh  joy  unspeaka- 
ble !  that  filled  my  poor  heart.  This  was  on  a 
Thanksgiving  Day,  when  I  was  so  sick  that  I  could 
only  eat  a  cracker;  yet  was  so  filled  with 
thankfulness,  that  it  seemed  the  most  delicious 
meal  of  my  life.  I  now  grasped  the  mighty  fact 
that  the  Spirit  had  already  sealed  me  as  his  own 
precious  child. 

"  Up  to  this  time  I  had  never  been  instructed 
about  the  '  higher  life '  of  Christian  experience, 
neither  had  I  joined  any  church,  although  I  was 
then  thirty  years  of  age.  Without  human  instru- 
mentality I  was  led  by  the  ever-blessed  Spirit  to 
seek  the  blessing  of  perfect  love,  and  as  one  pas- 
sage of  Scripture  after  another  was  presented  to  my 
mind,  I  would  ask  God  to  fulfil  those  several 
passages  in  my  experience  without  any  definite 
idea  of  what  I  was  praying  for,  or  how  or  when  I 
should  receive  what  I  asked.  So  I  was  led  from 
step  to  step.  My  duty  now  became  quite  plain 
that  I  must  join  a  church ;  and  I  felt  that  I  ought 
to  join  the  Methodist  Church.  I  reached  this 
conclusion  after  carefully  considering  that  as  holi- 
ness was  the  plain  doctrine  of  the  Bible,  and  was 
the  central  idea  of  the  Methodist  Church,  there- 
fore I  wanted  to  join  that  church.  In  two  days 
after  this  decision,  the  Rev.  D.  Dorchester,  a  Meth- 
odist minister,  now  a  Presiding  Elder  in  the  New- 
England  Conference,  called  upon  me,  and  I  told 
him  my  experience,  but  not  of  my  decision.  He 


32  HISTORY   OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

then  asked  me  if  I  belonged  to  any  church.  I  said 
'No.' 

"  But  he  was  so  satisfied  with  my  experience,  that 
he  took  my  name  at  once  on  the  class-paper,  and 
made  arrangements  for  my  baptism.  I  was  bap- 
tized the  very  next  sabbath ;  and  of  course,  as  I 
could  not  leave  my  bed,  I  was  baptized  in  my  own 
house  as  I  lay  upon  my  bed.  I  had  been  so  ex- 
ceedingly happy  at  the  thought  of  being  baptized, 
that  I  realized  no  great  blessing  at  the  time ;  but 
afterward  the  blessings  were  so  poured  into  my 
soul,  that  I  realized  in  some  measure  the  joy  that 
there  was  in  heaven  over  the  mighty  salvation  that 
was  now  my  own.  And  it  was  manifest  to  my 
soul  that  I  had  joined  the  family  of  God,  which 
was  but  one  family  in  earth  or  heaven.  I  was  so 
exceedingly  happy,  that  it  seemed  as  though  I 
could  hear  the  very  angels  of  heaven  singing  in 
glory. 

"  The  next  day  I  was  carried  to  see  a  friend ;  and 
I  felt  greatly  interested  for  the  salvation  of  the 
church,  that  it  should  come  up  to  its  highest  privi- 
lege, and  I  was  still  hungering  in  my  own  soul,  and 
asking  great  things  of  my  heavenly  Father.  Early 
one  morning  I  was  amazed  at  the  greatness  of  the 
petitions  I  had  asked ;  and  God  said  to  me,  '  Do 
you  believe  that  I  am  able  to  do  those  great  things 
that  you  have  asked  ? ' 

"  At  once  my  faith  took  a  mighty  leap,  and  I 
cried  out,  '  Yes,  Lord.' 


HISTORY   OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  33 

"  At  that  moment  my  heart  was  laid  open  to  my 
gaze,  as  though  it  had  been  a  book ;  and  I  saw 
plainly  the  roots  of  inbred  sin,  and  they  so  fully 
covered  my  heart  that  it  looked  black  ah1  over. 
I  saw  then  that  my  unbelief  was  the  prominent 
one :  when  I  saw  this,  I  cried  out,  '  Lord,  take  it 
away,  and  give  me  thy  righteousness.' 

"At  that  moment  the  fire  from  heaven  came 
down ;  and  my  sins  seemed  to  arise  like  a  cloud,  one 
by  one,  till  this  fire  consumed  the  whole,  and  I  was 
conscious  that  all  these  sins  were  entirely  removed, 
and  my  heart  was  pure  in  the  sight  of  God. 

"  This  was  a  new  era  indeed  in  my  history,  by 
which  I  was  brought  into  glorious  harmony  with 
God ;  and  now  I  could  rejoice  even  more,  pray 
without  ceasing,  and  in  every  thing  give  thanks. 

"  Then  I  could  realize  the  sentiment  of  the 
poet : — 

"'I  stand  all  bewildered  with  wonder, 
And  gaze  on  the  ocean  of  love  ; 
While  over  its  waves,  to  my  spirit, 
Comes  peace  like  a  heavenly  dove. 

The  cross  now  covers  my  sins ; 
The  past  is  under  the  blood : 
I  am  trusting  in  Jesus  for  all ; 
My  will  is  the  will  of  my  God.'  " 


CHAPTER  III. 

"  When  passing  through  the  watery  deep, 
I  ask  in  faith  his  promised  aid, 
The  waves  an  awful  distance  keep, 
And  shrink  from  my  devoted  head : 
Fearless  their  violence  I  dare  ; 
They  cannot  harm,  for  God  is  there." 

IT  nay  be  well  to  look  at  our  dear  Sister  Smith 
in  the  light  of  other's  eyes ;  so  I  copy  from  "  The 
Evangelist." 

LITTLE  BROWN  HOUSE  ON  THE  HILL-SIDE. 

BY  META  LANDEK. 

On  a  sunny  slope  in  Eastford,  Conn.,  is  the  last 
resting-place  of  the  heroic  Lyon,  one  of  our  earliest 
martyrs  in  the  late  fearful  rebellion. 

"  Rest,  patriot,  on  thy  hill-side  grave, 

Beside  her  form  who  bore  thee ! 
Long  may  the  land  thou  diedst  to  save 
Her  bannered  stars  wave  o'er  thee !  * 

Just  below  this  sacred  shrine  is  a  small  brown 
house,  fast  going  to  decay.  Enter  it,  and  you  will 
find  a  peculiar  sufferer,  on  a  little  iron  bedstead  no 

34 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  35 

longer  than  a  child's  crib.  There  she  lies,  drawn 
up,  twisted,  and  stiffened,  blind  of  one  eye,  her 
jaws  nearly  set,  and  entirely  helpless,  except  as 
she  can  slightly  move  her  hands  and  arms.  And 
there  she  has  lain,  day  after  day,  week  after  week, 
month  after  month,  for  more  than  thirty  years. 

Your  first  feeling  is  one  of  most  painful  oppres- 
sion. And  you  ask  yourself  again  and  again, 
"  How  is  it  possible  for  human  nature  to  endure 
such  a  living  martyrdom?"  Then  you  question 
this  life-long  sufferer,  and  she  tells  you  that  He 
who  is  infinite  in  love  has  fully  redeemed  his 
pledge,  "  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee."  Like 
Chloe  Lankton,  whose  case  is  so  well  known, 
Lizzie  Smith,  having  passed  through  many  deep 
waters,  and  struggled  with,  and  well  nigh  been 
swallowed  up  by,  the  buffeting  waves,  has  at 
length  attained  that  perfect  peace  which  comes 
from  a  will  in  entire  harmony  with  the  Divine 
will.  So  that  after  your  first  impression  of  gloom, 
you  soon  begin  to  note  the  cheerful  countenance 
of  the  Lord's  stricken  one,  and  perceive  how  it 
brightens  the  bare  walls  of  that  little  sick-room. 
And  your  heart  overflows  with  gratitude  to  him 
who  thus  giveth  his  sweetest  songs  in  the  deepest 
night. 

After  our  delightful  interview  with  Lizzie  Smith, 
she  writes,  through  an  amanuensis  :  "  You  ask  if  I 
am  willing  that  God's  goodness  should  be  pub- 
lished abroad.  I  answer,  Yes,  indeed,  even  to  the 


36  HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

uttermost  bounds  of  the  earth,  if  it  would  lead  one 
poor,  doubting  soul  to  that  faith  in  Christ  which 
is  a  Christian's  privilege,  or  one  poor  sintier  to 
that  fountain  which  has  been  opened  in  the  house 
of  David  for  all  uncleanness.  Language  often 
fails  me  when  I  try  to  express  what  my  beloved 
Lord  and  Master  has  done  for  me,  his  erring 
child." 

Afterwards,  when  little  sums  were  sent  to  her 
by  some  who  had  just  become  acquainted  with  her 
case,  she  writes,  "  You  cannot  imagine  how  sur- 
prised 7  have  been  on  receiving  letters  containing 
money.  I  know  not  how  to  express  my  gratitude 
in  any  thing  like  what  this  kindness  demands." 

A  GREAT   SUFFERER. 

Our  readers  will  recollect  an  account  in  our  col- 
umns in  February  last,  from  the  pen  of  Mrs.  Prof. 
E.  A.  Lawrence,  of  Elizabeth  Orcella  Smith,  a  de- 
formed invalid  living  at  Eastford,  Conn.,  whose 
sufferings  and  Christian  patience  for  thirty  years 
past  have  been  quite  remarkable.  Mrs.  Lawrence 
has  since  received  from  her  a  letter  which  shows 
that  the  appeal  was  not  wholly  in  vain.  She 
writes,  — 

"  You  cannot  imagine  how  surprised  I  was  on 
receiving  from  the  post-office  three  letters  in  one 
day,  all  containing  money.  And  another  day  I  re- 
ceived  two  more.  I  know  not  how  to  express  my 


HISTORY  OP  A  MOI?EBX  MARTYR.  87 

gratitude  in  any  thing  like  what  this  kindness 
demands.  God  has  been  very  tenderly  blessing 
me  both  temporarily  and  spiritually.  He  blesses 
me  as  language  utterly  fails  me  to  express." 

All  those  who  have  ministered  to  the  necessities 
of  this  saint  would  feel  amply  rewarded  could 
they  know  how  worthily  their  kindness  has  been 
bestowed,  and  how  warmly  it  is  appreciated. 

LITTLE  BROWN  HOUSE. 

The  kind  and  generous  response  to  the  plea  in 
behalf  of  Lizzie  Smith  has  awakened  most  grate- 
ful emotions ;  nor  can  the  sufferer  rest  till  her 
warmest  acknowledgments  have  been  expressed 
to  all  those  Christian  friends  who  have  remem- 
bered her  in  the  day  of  trouble.  Through  an 
amanuensis,  she  writes,  — 

"  I  want  them  all  to  know  how  much  their  ben- 
efactions will  add  to  my  comfort  in  my  helpless 
condition.  I  would  love  to  tell  them  of  the  con- 
solations of  that  grace  which  has  buoyed  my  soul 
above  the  sorrows  of  earth,  and  enabled  me  to  re- 
joice with  a  joy  that  is  unspeakable  and  full  of 
glory.  I  have  no  language  to  convey  to  others 
what  the  love  and  goodness  of  God's  provident 
care  of  me  merits.  I  do  feel  that  all  these  added 
blessings  bind  me  with  stronger  cords  to  the  ser- 
vice of  Him  whom  my  soul  loveth.  Oh !  it  is  good 
to  be  the  Lord's  wholly,  for  time  and  for  eter- 
nity!" 


HISTORY   OF  A  MODERN   MARTYR. 

It  would  seem  to  the  careful  observer,  that  God 
has  indeed  set  one  thing  opposite  to  another :  pain 
and  pleasure,  joy  and  sorrow,  sickness  and  health, 
day  and  night,  summer  and  winter,  and  poverty 
and  wealth.  And  it  would  seem  as  though  God 
appoints  some  persons  to  suffer  intensely  and  for  a 
long  time,  and  in  poverty,  as  with  the  subject  of 
this  narrative,  that  others  may  have  the  pleasure 
of  relieving  those  pains  and  poverty,  and  that 
they  may  be  rewarded  for  the  same,  by  God  and 
man.  As  an  illustration  read  the  following  from 
"  The  Congregationalist." 

LIZZIE    O.    SMITH. 

Those  who  remember  the  case  of  this  remarka- 
ble sufferer  as  it  has  been  presented  in  "  The  Con- 
gregationalist," and  who  have  kindly  contributed 
to  her  relief,  will  not  be  unwilling  to  hear  from 
her  again ;  while  others  may  be  interested  to  know 
something  about  her. 

Bedridden  for  more  than  thirty  years,  drawn  up 
so  that  she  lies  upon  a  child's  crib,  blind  of  one 
eye,  entirely  helpless  except  as  she  can  move  her 
hands  a  very  little,  and  at  the  same  time  dependent 
on  Christian  friends  for  most  of  the  comforts,  if 
not  necessaries  of  life ;  yet  her  trust  in  God  is 
unwavering,  and  her  peace  is  like  a  river.  So 
that,  although  emphatically  one  of  the  Lord's 
poor,  she  is  yet  rich  beyond  ordinary  believers. 

To  illustrate  the  proverb  that  "  it  is  an  ill  wind 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  39 

that  blows  nobody  good,"  or  rather  to  show  how 
true  it  is  that  all  things  work  together  for  the 
good  of  such  loving  disciples,  the  writer  would 
state,  that,  on  her  way  to  Philadelphia  last  spring, 
her  pocket  was  picked,  and,  with  other  money,  of 
a  sum  sent  to  her  for  Miss  Smith.  In  relating  the 
robbery,  she  was  naturally  led  to  speak  of  this 
sufferer,  and  of  the  sum  intended  for  her  use, 
which  awakened  inquiry,  and  suggested  sending 
for  the  published  account.  This,  passing  among 
a  few  friends  in  the  city  of  brotherly  love  and 
elsewhere,  created  a  substantial  interest,  of  which 
the  following  extracts  are  an  acknowledgment. 

"  Yesterday  morning,  while  pleading  for  mate- 
rial and  spiritual  supplies,  this  passage  came  to 
mind,  '  And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  before  they 
call  I  will  answer,  and  while  they  are  yet  speak- 
ing I  will  hear.'  When  your  note  came,  I  felt 
that  God's  word  was  verified." 

On  learning  afterwards  the  amount  that  had 
been  contributed,  she  again  wrote,  — 

"  I  hardly  know  how  to  express  the  surprise 
and  gratitude  that  pervaded  my  soul  as  I  perused 
your  letter.  Although  I  had  been  believingly 
asking  my  heavenly  Father  for  large  things  of 
late,  yet  when  they  came,  and  so  soon,  and  in  such 
a  body,  I  was  awe-struck  at  the  goodness  and  con- 
descension of  God.  And  how  shall  I  ever  suffi- 
ciently manifest  my  gratitude  to  you,  and  to  those 
who  have  united  with  you,  in  procuring  that  aid 


40  HISTORY   OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

which  will  add  so  much  to  my  comfort,  and  I  trust 
to  my  usefulness.  Oh,  my  dear  friend !  I  can 
never  do  it ;  but  there  is  One  who  stands  as  my 
surety,  and  He  has  said,  '  Inasmuch  as  ye  have 
done  it  unto  one  of  these  little  ones,  ye  have  done 
it  unto  me.'  And  the  promise  is  '  Verily  thou 
shalt  not  lose  thy  reward.'  May  God  reward  you 
all  a  thousand  fold !  " 

In  a  recent  letter  Miss  Smith  says,  — 

"  I  am  using  some  of  my  money  to  fit  up  our 
house  so  that  it  will  afford  us  a  dry  shelter.  It 
has  been  rapidly  going  to  decay  for  some  years, 
and  my  aged  father  has  yearly  been  growing  less 
able  to  repair  the  ravages  of  time.  I  have  thought 
much  about  the  matter,  and  how  the  means  could 
be  procured  for  the  necessary  repairs,  but  could 
see  no  way  until  by  the  provident  care  of  God, 
through  your  instrumentality,  the  material  aid  has 
been  rendered  to  accomplish  the  work  in  part." 

Of  her  religious  experience  a  friend  writes  as 
follows :  — 

"  At  the  tune  we  saw  her,  she  was  experiencing 
that  peculiar  peace  which  flows  from  an  entire 
consecration  to  Christ. 

"  Like  the  generality  of  Christians,  Elizabeth 
passed  many  years  alternating  between  fevers  and 
chills,  —  sometimes  on  the  mount,  and  sometimes 
low  in  the  valley.  '  As  long  as  I  looked  to  God 
for  aid,'  she  said,  '  so  long  I  succeeded  in  my  en- 
deavors. But  I  had  not  yet  learned  that  I  must 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  41 

live,  moment  by  moment,  a  life  of  faith  in  the 
Son  of  God.  ...  As  I  advanced,  step  by  step, 
the  Lord  enabled  me  more  and  more  to  see  what 
I  needed,  and  what  it  is  my  privilege  to  have.  I 
could  not  stop  upon  the  ground  where  I  had  for- 
merly stood.  I  must  know  that  God  was  mine 
and  I  was  his.  I  must  have  the  Urim  and  Thum- 
mira  placed  upon  my  heart.' 

"  Thus  she  was  led  to  that  fresh  and  full  con- 
secration, which  brought  her  entire  peace.  She 
compares  her  past  and  present  states  to  two  modes 
of  travelling;  on  the  sea  —  sailing-vessels  and 

o  o 

steamers.  '  The  one,'  she  says,  '  has  to  go  accord- 
ing to  the  winds ;  the  other,  having  the  propelling 
power  within,  however  contrary  the  winds  may 
be,  can  go  forward  in  spite  of  them  all.' 

"  Soon  after  she  came  into  this  state  her 
strength  declined,  and  she  was  brought  near  the 
invisible  world.  She  was  happy  in  the  thought 
of  going  home,  for  the  sting  of  death  had  been 
removed." 

Our  dear  Sister  Smith  was  but  a  babe  in  holi- 
ness after  she  experienced  the  blessing  of  perfect 
love.  Hence  she  had  many  battles  with  the 
powers  of  darkness,  and  was  tossed  about  from 
time  to  time.  She  says,  "  I  had  never  heard  but 
little  of  the  blessing  of  holiness  of  heart,  as  but 
few  of  my  acquaintances  ever  professed  it ;  but 
there  was  a  Miss  C.,  one  of  my  former  school- 
mates, who  had  found  this  pearl  of  great  price, 


46  HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

room  in  which  I  was  lying,  and  through  another 
room,  and  out  of  doors.  It  was  not  dark,  yet 
neither  sun,  moon,  nor  stars  were  visible.  I 
began  immediately  to  descend  a  steep  hill.  The 
bier  had  now  disappeared ;  and  I  was  held  by  two 
giant-like  hands  around  me,  which  hurried  me 
on  with  an  indescribable  speed  toward  a  tomb, 
which  I  could  see  enshrouded  in  a  gloomy  mist 
just  before  me,  a  little  to  the  right  of  the  path, 
near  which  was  a  body  of  water  directly  in  front 
of  me.  I  struggled  hard  to  extricate  myself  from 
their  death-like  grasp.  As  I  drew  near  the  tomb 
the  hands  were  gone,  and  I  was  borne  directly 
past  it ;  now  I  expected  to  be  cast  into  the  water, 
but,  instead  of  this,  I  turned  a  short  angle  between 
the  water  and  the  tomb. 

"  By  this  time  I  was  in  a  standing  posture,  when 
all  at  once  the  sun  arose  above  me  with  beams  so 
bright  and  powerful,  that  they  pierced  all  through 
my  whole  body,  and  the  glory  of  it  was  so  great 
that  I  instantly  awoke. 

"I  had  a  somewhat  similar  dream  before  my 
former  sickness,  in  which  I  was  hurried  along 
through  a  covered  passage-way,  and  left  in  a  filthy 
room,  which  seem  to  be  realized  in  the  gloomy 
state  in  which  I  was  afterwards.  I  began  to  re- 
cover. I  then  attributed  it  to  nervousness,  in- 
duced by  my  extreme  debility:  but  now  I  see 
that  it  was  my  own  fault,  for  God  has  grace  suffi- 
cient for  us  in  every  time  of  trouble,  if  we  but 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  43 

of  us,  and  we  parted,  perhaps  never  to  meet 
again. 

"  Soon  after  this  I  was  called  to  visit  a  Congre- 
gational family  ;  and  they  had  a  religious  meeting 
appointed  at  the  same  time,  and  my  mind  was 
much  exercised  as  to  the  propriety  of  females  tak- 
ing a  part  in  such  meetings.  I  had  inquired  of 
the  Lord  in  reference  to  my  duty  in  this  case.  I 
knew  it  was  not  according  to  their  custom  for 
females  to  take  any  part.  I  was  somewhat  troubled, 
but  I  left  it  with  the  Lord,  and  very  unexpectedly 
I  was  called  upon  to  speak ;  and  God  gave  me 
much  liberty  to  talk  on  the  subject  of  holiness, 
but  how  much  to  the  edification  of  others  I  do 
not  know. 

"  I  continued  to  enjoy  more  and  more  of  the 
divine  presence,  till  I  could  truly  say,  '  The  land 
of  promise  was  one  of  hills  and  vales,  flowing 
with  milk  and  honey.'  There  were  a  few  sisters 
who  often  assembled  in  my  room  to  hold  prayer- 
meetings,  and  these  were  seasons  of  great  interest 
to  me. 

"  Early  in  the  spring  I  felt  that  death  was  near : 
my  health  began  gradually  to  fail.  I  suffered  but 
little  pain ;  but  I  felt  that  my  strength  was  failing. 
I  began  to  set  my  house  in  order,  so  that  in  all 
things,  temporal  as  well  as  spiritual,  I  might  be 
ready.  On  the  afternoon  of  July  13  I  was  taken 
violently  sick ;  doctors  and  friends  were  sent  for, 
and  death  seemed  to  be  fast  approaching;  my 


44  HISTOKY  OP  A  MODERN  MABTYR. 

father  and  Sister  B.  watched  over  me  with  un- 
wearied care,  during  that  night  of  intense  suffer- 
ing. The  morning  found  me  somewhat  relieved, 
but  I  suffered  most  excruciating  pains :  a  tumor 
broke  internally,  after  which  I  was  comfortable 
for  a  while. 

"  Soon  after  this  our  minister  proposed,  if  I 
lived  till  the  third  sabbath  in  August,  to  come 
and  administer  the  sacrament,  and  receive  me  into 
full  membership  in  the  church.  He  did  come,  and 
the  presiding  elder  came  with  him ;  and  it  was 
a  time  of  refreshing  to  my  soul.  I  knew  now  the 
blessedness  of  having  an  almighty  arm  to  lean 
upon,  when  an  arm  of  flesh  could  do  but  little. 
I  had  now  no  anxiety  about  any  thing,  except  it 
was  to  leave  my  father  with  no  one  to  care  for 
him  in  his  declining  years :  here  unbelief  crept  in, 
that  stealthy  foe,  although  I  did  not  see  it  then. 
Soon  after  this  my  health  began  to  decline  again 
very  fast,  and  in  about  two  weeks  another  tumor 
broke  externally :  this  reduced  my  strength  more 
than  ever.  I  was  so  low  that  my  friends  were 
called  to  see  me  die ;  indeed,  at  one  time  life 
seemed  to  be  extinct :  I  lost  all  sensation  of  pain 
and  almost  of  feeling ;  my  breath  was  apparently 
gone.  I  continued  hovering  between  life  and 
death  for  several  weeks :  then  I  began  slowly  to 
recover,  though  it  was  weeks  before  I  regained 
my  usual  sensitiveness.  I  felt  much  disappointed 
in  not  being  permitted  to  go  to  my  home  above. 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN   MARTYR.  45 

I  could  hardly  say,  '  Thy  will  be  done.'  Then 
would  come  over  my  soul  such  feelings  of  home- 
sickness, as  may  be  better  imagined  than  de- 
scribed. 

"  The  adversary  took  advantage  of  these  feelings, 
and  sorely  tried  me.  For  a  while  the  eye  of 
faith  was  dim  with  doubts  and  fears;  but  I  was 
soon  enabled  to  lay  my  all  again  on  the  altar  that 
sanctifieth  the  gift ;  and  the  Lord  healed  my  back- 
slidings,  and  again  lifted  upon  me  the  light  of  his 
countenance,  and  I  could  again  say,  'He  doeth 
all  things  well.' 

"  I  would  here  render  a  tribute  of  gratitude  to 
those  friends  that  contributed  so  much  to  my  com- 
fort with  both  money  and  personal  attention ;  and  I 
would  not  forget  a  Mr.  G.  of  New  York,  a  wealthy 
man,  who  till  now  had  been  a  stranger,  who  had 
come  into  the  country  to  spend  the  summer,  and, 
hearing  of  my  situation,  often  visited  me,  and 
spared  no  expense  in  rendering  me  such  aid  as  I 
needed,  and  which  he  delighted  to  afford.  May 
the  Lord  bless  him  abundantly,  and  all  the  others 
who  were  so  faithful  and  kind  in  my  sorest  trials ! 
I  believe  he  will  do  it ;  for,  often  in  answer  to  my 
poor  prayers  in  their  behalf,  God  has  spoken 
these  words  with  power  to  my  heart,  '•I  will  bless 
them  that  bless  thee.' 

"  Late  in  the  autumn  I  had  a  dream  that  left  a 
deep  impression  on  my  heart.  I  was  taken  on 
i  bier,  and  carried  by  an  invisible  hand  from  the 


42  HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

and  had  spoken  to  me  upon  the  subject ;  but  to  me 
it  was  a  hidden  mystery.  So,  as  many  others  have 
done,  I  cast  away  the  blessing  by  my  unbelief, 
because  I  thought  it  was  for  others ;  but  it  was  not 
for  me.  But  I  have  learned  better  than  to  believe 
the  enemy's  suggestions. 

"  Bro.  Dorchester  held  a  meeting  at  our  house  ; 
and  his  text  was  Ps.  xl :  1-3, '  I  waited  patiently  for 
the  Lord ;  and  he  inclined  unto  me,  and  heard  my 
cry.  He  brought  me  up  also  out  of  an  horrible  pit, 
out  of  the  miry  clay,  and  set  my  feet  upon  a  rock,  and 
established  my  goings.  And  he  hath  put  a  new  song 
in  my  mouth,  even  praise  unto  our  God :  many  shall 
see  it,  and  fear,  and  shall  trust  in  the  Lord.'  This 
was  peculiarly  appropriate  to  me  ;  for  indeed  my 
walls  were  salvation,  and  my  gates  praise.  After 
the  preaching  he  had  a  class-meeting,  which  I  en- 
joyed very  much.  My  health  remained  much  the 
same  during  the  winter.  In  the  spring  Bro.  Dor- 
chester held  another  meeting  at  our  house,  and 
preached  from  Heb.  xii.  1—3.  '  Wherefore,  seeing 
we  also  are  compassed  about  with  so  great  a  cloud 
of  witnesses,  let  us  lay  aside  every  weight,  and 
the  sin  which  doth  so  easily  beset  us,  and  let  us  run 
with  patience  the  race  that  is  set  before  us,  looking 
unto  Jesus  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith ; 
who  for  the  joy  that  was  set  before  him  endured 
the  cross,  despising  the  shame,'  &c.  I  was  much 
ancouraged  and  strengthened  by  his  discourse. 
Soon  after  this  he  and  his  wife  took  their  leave 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODEEN  MARTYR. 


47 


ask  for  it  in  faith;  and  I  neglected  this  plain 
duty ;  but,  as  soon  as  I  was  ready  to  perform  my 
part  of  the  covenant,  he  met  me,  and  I  found  his 
grace  every  way  sufficient  for  me." 


CHAPTER  IV. 

"  To  Him  my  eye  of  faith  I  turn, 
And  through  the  fire  pursue  my  way ; 
The  fire  forgets  its  power  to  burn, — 
The  lambent  flames  around  me  play  ; 
I  own  His  power,  adopt  His  sign, 
And  shout  to  prove  the  Saviour  mine." 

"  ONE  year  had  now  passed  since  I  took  upon 
myself  the  vow  to  be  wholly  the  Lord's.  Through 
what  varied  and  trying  scenes  had  I  passed  in  that 
time !  yet  I  was  not  alone,  for — 

" '  When  trouble,  like  a  gloomy  cloud, 
Had  gathered  thick  and  thundered  loud, 
He  near  my  soul  has  always  stood, 
His  loving  kindness,  oh  how  good  1 ' 

•'  In  reviewing  his  past  mercies  and  loving  kind- 
ness, I  felt  ready  to  consecrate  myself  anew  to 
his  service,  saying  in  the  language  of  the  poet :  — 

" '  Lord,  I  am  thine,  entirely  thine, 

Purchased  and  saved  by  blood  divine ; 
With  full  consent  thine  I  would  be, 
And  own  thy  sovereign  right  in  me.' 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  49 

"  And,  depending  solely  on  the  grace  of  God  for 
strength,  I  resolved  so  to  live  as  to  let  my  light 
shine  before  others,  that  they  might  see  my  good 
works,  and  be  led  to  glorify  God.  I  was  deter- 
mined 'to  press  toward  the  mark  for  the  prize 
of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.' 

"  '  Let  worldly  minds  the  world  pursue, 
.   It  has  no  charms  for  me  : 
Once  I  admired  its  trifles  too, 
But  grace  has  set  me  free.' 

'•'''•One  thing  have  I  desired  of  the  Lord-,  that 
will  I  seek  after ;  that  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of 
the  Lord  all  the  days  of  my  life,  to  behold  the  beauty 
of  the  Lord,  and  to  inquire  in  his  temple.  For  in 
the  time  of  trouble  he  shall  hide  me  in  his  pavilion : 
in  the  secret  of  his  tabernacle  shall  he  hide  me ;  he 
shall  set  me  up  upon  a  rock?  For,  '  In  Thy  pres- 
ence there  is  fulness  of  joy,  and  at  thy  right  hand 
there  are  pleasures  forevermore.' 

"  This  winter  was  one  of  many  trials,  both  of 
body  and  mind.  Much  of  the  time  my  father 
was  my  only  nurse.  I  often  walked  in  the  valley 
of  humiliation,  seeing  my  own  utter  nothingness, 
but  having  exalted  views  of  the  all-sufficiency  of 
God's  grace.  I  had  often  asked  the  Lord  to  give 
me  a  tender  conscience,  which  I  now  realized ;  and 
the  adversary  of  my  soul,  in  such  seasons  of 
humiliation,  took  advantage  of  this  by  applying 
/he  law  in  all  its  strictness,  leading  me  into  errors 


50  HISTOKY  OF   A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

by  blinding  my  mind  to  the  fact  that  I  was  not 
under  the  law,  but  under  grace.  I  often  felt  that 
like  Judah,  the  inhabitants  of  the  mountains  were 
driven  out,  but  those  of  the  valley  had  chariots  of 
iron,  and  I  could  not  drive  them  out :  but  the 
grace  of  God  was  sufficient  for  me,  and  enabled 
me  to  realize  the  fulfilment  of  his  promise, 
'  Thou  shalt  drive  out  the  Canaanites,  though  they 
have  iron  chariots,  and  though  they  be  strong.' 
I  triumphed  at  last ;  and  I  was  enabled  to  say  with 
the  apostle,  '  All  things  are  lawful  unto  me,  but 
all  things  are  not  expedient :  all  things  are  lawful 
for  me,  but  I  will  not  be  brought  under  the  power 
of  any.'  God  forbid  that  I  should  sin  against 
his  grace  and  mercy.  There  I  would  set  a  land- 
mark, that  all  who  pass  this  way  may  see  it,  and 
shun  the  rock  on  which  I  was  in  peril  for  a 
time. 

"  The  spring  season  found  my  health  much  im- 
proved, but  trials  still  awaited  me,  for  truly  he 
hath  chosen  me  in  the  furnace  of  affliction ;  but 
blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord  in  the  midst  of 
them  all.  I  could  hear  the  gentle  voice  of  my 
Saviour  saying,  '  Fear  not,  it  is  I ;  be  not  afraid, 
for  these  trials  of  your  faith  are  more  precious  than 
of  gold,  though  it  be  tried  in  the  fire,'  and  '  these 
light  afflictions,  which  are  but  for  a  moment,  work 
out  for  you  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal 
weight  of  glory.' 

"  Thus  faith  triumphed  over  all.     Though  the 


HISTORY  OF   A  MODERN  MARTYR.  51 

fiery  billows  rolled  around  me,  they  touched  me 
not.  I  would  strike  a  high  note  of  praise  to  my 
Redeemer  in  the  midst  of  them  all. 

"  I  was  often  left  alone,  as  my  father  was  obliged 
to  be  out  to  attend  to  his  duties ;  at  such  times  he 
was  accustomed  to  tell  me  if  he  was  to  be  away 
any  length  of  time.  But  at  one  time  he  went  out 
just  at  sunset,  expecting  soon  to  return ;  but  being 
detained,  I  was  in  great  distress,  thinking  some- 
thing must  have  befallen  him ;  and  then  a  heavy 
shower  with  thunder  and  lightning  set  in,  and  the 
doors  and  windows  were  all  open,  and  I  could 
only  call  aloud  for  help,  with  little  prospect 
of  raising  any.  I  lifted  my  heart  to  God  in 
prayer,  pleading  mp  helpless  condition,  and  claim- 
ing the  promise  of  my  heavenly  Father,  that  '  I 
will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee.'  I  was  then 
calm  and  collected  in  my  feelings,  and  after  some 
length  of  time  my  father  returned  in  safety.  These 
were  useful  lessons  to  me.  I  learned  the  safety  of 
trusting  in  the  promised  faithfulness  of  my  Lord 
and  Master,  and  then  to  be  able  to  see  love  in- 
scribed on  every  trial,  —  this  is  happiness  indeed  to 
me ;  yes,  it  is  such  happiness  as  the  world  can- 
not give,  to  know  that  the  Almighty  God  of  love 
is  our  stronghold,  where  we  can  flee  for  refuge, 
and  find  safety  in  eveiy  time  of  trouble. 

"  In  October  I  was  invited  to  visit  the  family  of 
Mr.  B.,  where  I  had  visited  in  years  past.  I  had 
some  doubts  and  fears  about  going,  as  Mr.  B.  was 


52  HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

an  avowed  infidel.  But  I  carried  the  matter  to 
the  mercy  seat,  and  inquired  of  the  Lord.  Then  I 
thought  of  the  Saviour's  mission  to  this  earth,  —  was 
it  not  to  save  sinners  ?  and  is  it  not  enough  for  the 
disciple  to  be  as  his  Lord  ?  I  decided  at  once  to 
go :  afterwards  I  felt  very  thankful  to  God  who 
led  me  to  this  decision,  as  I  learned  that  his  chil- 
dren were  looking  to  see  what  I  would  do,  antici- 
pating that  I  should  decline  the  invitation,  on  the 
ground  that  I  was  a  Christain,  and  therefore  could 
not  visit  a  poor  infidel. 

"  Oh,  that  I  and  every  professor  of  the  religion  of 
the  Saviour  might  ever  remember  that  the  eyes  of 
the  world  are  upon  us !  I  went  not  like  Paul  to 
Ephesus  to  fight,  but  as  a  passive  instrument  in 
the  hand  of  God,  to  show  forth  the  power  of  that 
religion  which  is  love.  The  Lord  was  there  be- 
fore me,  and  the  mouth  of  the  lion  was  shut.  I 
enjoyed  myself  well,  as  I  always  do  when  in  the 
path  of  duty.  This  family  have  shown  me  much 
kindness  in  times  of  trouble,  when  a  friend  is  a 
friend  indeed.  May  the  good  Lord  bless  them  and 
reward  them  abundantly  for  it !  and  I  hope  we 
may  yet  meet  to  sing  the  song  of  Moses  and  the 
Lamb.  This  circumstance  taught  me  never  to 
shun  the  erring,  but  to  do  all  in  my  power  to  win 
them  to  Christ,  to  lead  them  to  love  the  same 
Lord  and  Saviour  who  has  done  so  much  for  me ; 
for  truly,  '  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy 
of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN   MARTYR.  53 

world  to  save  sinners,  of  whom  I  am  chief.'  My 
worldly  prospects  began  to  brighten  in  some  re- 
spects. A  woman  we  had  expected  to  come  and 
live  with  us  in  the  spring,  and  then  had  decided 
not  to  do  so,  now,  very  unexpectedly  to  us,  con- 
cluded to  come.  I  had  been  very  anxious  that  she 
should  come,  so  that  my  father  might  be  more  at 
liberty,  as  he  depended  on  his  daily  labor  for  our 
support.  In  this  lesson  I  saw  the  truth  of  that 
Scripture  which  saith,  '  Commit  thy  ways  unto 
the  Lord,  trust  also  in  him,  and  he  shall  bring  it 
to  pass.'  I  felt  renewed  confidence  to  trust  all  in 
His  hands,  and  say,  — 

"'*  All  my  times  shall  ever  be 
Ordered  by  thy  wise  decree,  — 
Times  of  sickness,  times  of  health, 
Times  of  penury  and  wealth, 
Times  of  triumph  and  of  grief, 
Times  of  trial  and  relief.' 

"Again  he  shows  me  his  faithfulness  in  his 
promises  when  he  says,  '  He  will  regard  the  prayer 
of  the  destitute,  and  not  despise  their  prayer.' 
And  again,  '  The  needy  shall  not  always  be  for- 
gotten.' I  had  often  laid  my  case  before  my 
heavenly  Father,  telling  him  how  much  I  needed 
some  one  to  fill  the  place  of  a  mother :  and  he  has, 
in  his  good  time,  seen  fit  to  grant  my  desire  ;  for,  on 
the  14th  of  December,  my  father  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Mrs.  C.,  the  lady  mentioned  above. 

5* 


54  HISTORY  OF   A  MODEEN   MABTYR. 

My  feelings  at  that  time  were  indescribable.  1 
was  about  to  pronounce  the  sacred  name  of  mother, 
which  I  had  never  done  within  my  recollection, 
my  own  dear  mother  having  died  in  my  childhood. 
I  ^ealized  my  position  as  a  step-daughter,  and  how 
much  of  the  happiness  of  the  family  depended  on 
me.  I  felt  the  necessity  of  winning  her  love,  and 
doing  right  myself,  being  assured  if  I  did  all 
would  be  well ;  for  I  have  full  confidence  in  God, 
that  if  I  do  my  duty  he  will  be  with  me,  and  I 
have  not  the  least  fear  of  being  harmed,  for  '  he 
that  toucheth  you  toucheth  the  apple  of  his  eye.' 

"  But  the  fountain  of  my  heart  was  broken  up, 
when  I  saw  my  father  stand  before  God,  and 
promise  to  leave  all  and  cleave  unto  his  wife.  Up 
to  this  time  no  one  had  stood  between  my  father 
and  me,  and  I  could  go  to  him  with  my  troubles ; 
but  now  he  was  betrothed  to  another,  and  a  sense 
of  loneliness  came  over  me  not  easily  described. 
I  flew  to  the  mercy-seat  as  a  bird  to  her  mountain ; 
and  I  found  relief  in  prayer,  and  in  prayer  and 
praise  I  spent  most  of  the  night. 

" '  Prayer  makes  the  darkened  cloud  withdraw ; 
Prayer  climbs  the  ladder  Jacob  saw ; 
Gives  exercise  to  faith  and  love, 
Brings  every  blessing  from  above.' 

"Jan.  1,  1857.  Another  year  has  fled:  again 
my  mind  turns  back,  and  reviews  the  past  scenes 


HISTORY  OP  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  55 

through  which  I  have  been  brought.  What  mercy 
and  love  hath  the  Lord  shown  me  during  the  last 
year  !  Oh,  what  shall  I  render  unto  my  adorable 
Lord  for  all  his  benefits  to  me !  how  many  changes 
have  taken  place !  how  many  dear  friends  have 
passed  away  in  that  time!  Solemn  thought! 
Oh,  may  we  ever  keep  eternity  in  view,  and  re- 
member our  days  are  but  a  span !  One  year  ago 
how  dark  my  prospects !  but  God  has  seen  fit  in 
his  providence  to  smile  upon  me,  and  give  me  a 
mother  to  watch  over  me,  and  assist  my  father 
in  taking  care  of  me  in  my  helpless  condition ; 
and,  what  is  best  of  all,  she  is  one  who  fears 
God,  and  she  has  helped  to  rear  the  family  altar 
in  our  humble  dwelling ;  and  now  we  hear  the 
words  which  he  speaks  to  all  that  trust  in  him 
with  all  their  hearts  saying,  '  They  shall  be  abun- 
dantly satisfied  with  the  fatness  of  thy  house,  and 
thou  shalt  make  them  to  drink  of  the  river  of  thy 
pleasures.''  Again  I  renewed  my  covenant  vows, 
willing  to  do  or  suffer  the  will  of  God :  only  de- 
siring that  his  whole  will  might  be  accomplished 
in  me ;  for  I  would  withhold  nothing  from  him 
who  hath  done  so  much  for  me. 

"  In  February  I  received  a  visit  from  a  Baptist 
lady,  L.  W.,  whom  I  had  met  once  before,  and  in 
whom  I  found  a  kindred  spirit.  A  meeting  with 
such  a  friend  is  like  an  oasis  in  the  desert,  where 
we  may  rest  and  refresh  ourselves  while  on  our 
pilgrimage  to  the  celestial  city.  She  has  been 


56  HISTORY  OF   A  MODERN  MART£R. 

greatly  afflicted;  but  the  rod  has  budded  and 
blossomed,  and  bears  fruit  to  the  glory  of  God. 

"  I  awoke  one  morning  in  February,  and  these 
words  of  the  Psalmist  were  sweetly  applied  to  my 
heart,  '  Though  ye  have  lien  among  the  pots,  yet 
shall  ye  be  as  the  wings  of  a  dove  covered  with  sil- 
ver, and  her  feathers  with  yellow  gold.'  This 
assurance  of  my  Lord  gave  much  joy ;  and  I  felt 
to  consecrate  myself  more  willingly  than  ever  to 
his  service,  and  to  say  with  a  willing  heart,  Let  me 
receive  the  stripes,  if  others  may  but  taste  of  thy 
loving  kindness  with  me. 

"  I  am  now  thirty-three  years  of  age :  my  limbs 
are  so  contracted,  that  I  lie  upon  a  bed  four  feet 
long  and  two  feet  in  width,  from  which  I  have 
not  been  moved,  except  in  the  arms  of  another, 
for  twenty-one  years.  I  can  see  only  with  one 
eye,  my  jaws  are  firmly  set,  and  my  hands  are 
rigidly  fixed  twelve  inches  from  my  head,  to 
which  I  have  not  raised  them  for  twenty-seven 
years  but  once,  and  that  some  eighteen  years 
since  in  a  paroxysm  of  distress,  and  unconsciously. 
I  have  lain  upon  my  right  side  for  thirty  years, 
and  am  utterly  unable  to  move  myself  from  the 
position  in  which  I  am  placed ;  and  my  whole  S3rs- 
tem  is  so  rigidly  stiffened,  that  a  strong  person 
can  raise  me  to  my  feet  without  bending  me,  by 
putting  their  hands  under  my  head  and  lifting 
me  up. 

"  I  can  use  my  hands  sufficiently  to  be  able  to 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  57 

feed  rnyself  witli  a  knife  and  fork  some  thirteen 
inches  long,  made  expressly  for  me,  when  my  food 
is  cut  up  and  placed  on  a  plate  before  me ;  and 
with  the  help  of  some  machinery,  which  has  been 
kindly  prepared  for  me  by  some  friends,  I  can 
manage  to  hold  a  book  to  read ;  and  I  look  upon 
my  hands,  crippled  as  they  are,  as  evidence  of 
God's  love  to  me,  for  truly  * 

'  God  is  love :  I  know,  I  feel, 
He  afflicts,  but  loves  me  still.' 

"  I  have  now  given  a  brief  and  imperfect  sketch 
of  my  life,  temporally  and  spiritually ;  but  I 
deeply  feel  that  my  words  can  but  faintly  describe 
what  intense  sufferings  I  have  endured  in  body 
and  mind,  or  what  I  have  enjoyed  in  favor  and 
loving  kindness  of  my  God.  I  can  truly  say, 
'  That  however  much  we  suffer  in  the  flesh,  there 
is  a  blessing  that  maketh  rich  and  addeth  no 
sorrow.'  Permit  me,  a  humble  individual,  to  ad- 
dress a  word  to  such  as  are  walking  in  the  broad 
roads  that  lead  to  destruction.  I  would  entreat 
them  to  turn  and  seek  the  Lord  while  he  may  be 
found,  and  call  upon  him  while  he  is  near ;  before 
the  evil  days  come,  when  they  shall  say  I  have  no 
pleasure  in  them.  Come,  dear  friends,  and  claim 
his  promise  when  he  says,  '  Ye  shall  seek  me  and 

*  At  this  writing  she  is  fifty  years  of  age,  and  has  been 
upon  her  bed  thirty-eight  years. — ED. 


58  HISTORY  OP   A  MODERN  MARTYR 

find  me,  when  ye  shall  search  for  me  with  all  your 
heart.' 

"  And  to  the  justified  who  are  walking  in  the 
strait  and  narrow  way,  I  would  say,  '  Call  on  the 
Lord  and  he  will  answer  you,  and  show  you  great 
and  mighty  things  which  thou  knowest  not ; '  but 
when  thou  knowest  them,  I  know  you  will  join 
with  me  in  saying  with  the  Queen  of  Sheba,  '  the 
half  had  not  been  told  me.'  Oh !  let  us  go  on  unto 
perfection:  there  is  a  blessed  fulness  in  Christ 
Jesus." 


CHAPTER  V. 

"  Thy  every  suffering  servant,  Lord, 

Shall  as  his  perfect  Master  be ; 
To  all  thy  inward  life  restored, 

And  outwardly  conformed  to  thee. 
Out  of  the  graves  the  saints  shall  rise, 
And  grasp  through  death  the  glorious  prize." 

To  the  foregoing  narrative  we  will  append  a 
few  extracts  from  her  letters,  mostly  written  since 
this  part  of  the  narrative  was  closed,  together 
with  one  or  two  others. 

All  her  writing  is  done  by  the  hand  of  another, 
and  mostly  by  the  kindness  of  young  ladies  who 
often  visit  her,  both  professors  and  unconverted 
persons  :  for  such  is  the  charm  of  her  cheerful 
loving  spirit,  that  the  young  ladies  and  misses  of 
the  neighborhood  seem  to  take  great  delight  in 
calling  and  spending  a  little  while  on  their  way, 
to  and  from  school,  and  at  other  times,  with  Lizzie, 
as  they  familiarly  call  her  ;  and  they  not  only  bring 
her  many  little  presents  of  flowers,  &c.,  but  often 
stop  when  passing  her  little  cottage  home,  and 
sing  some  of  her  favorite  hymns  and- sweet  songs. 
Often  in  the  silence  of  night  their  sweet  voices 

59 


60  HISTOEY   OF  A  MODERN   MARTYR. 

break  on  the  ear  of  their  afflicted  but  happy  friend, 
as  the  angels  of  mercy.  These  young  friends  have 
not  only  written  this  narrative,  but  they  write 
her  letters  of  correspondence  and  friendship ; 
their  only  reward  being  an  interest  in  the  prayers 
and  sympathies  of  the  object  of  their  kindness. 
At  one  time  she  relates  that  she  was  brought  into 
a  very  strait  place  by  one  of  these  young  friends, 
with  the  utmost  kindness  and  good-will,  offering  to 
come  and  write  for  her  on  the  sabbath.  This,  she 
says,  they  had  often  done  ;  and  "  I  had  not  thought 
I  was  doing  wrong,  or  violating  the  sabbath  in 
so  doing.  But  now  I  saw  that  it  was  not  only  a 
sin  for  me  to  use  the  Lord's  Day  for  my  own  pur- 
poses, but  that  I  was  taking  others  from  the  only 
appropriate  duties  of  the  sabbath,  namely,  such 
as  appertained  to  their  spiritual  interests,  and  by 
the  use  of  which  those  interests  might  be  pro- 
moted. As  soon  as  I  saw  it  in  its  true  light,  I 
determined  to  cease  from  it  at  once ;  but  I  was  in 
great  trouble  as  to  how  I  should  communicate  this 
decision  to  my  friend  who  had  promised  to  come 
the  next  sabbath.  At  first  I  tried  to  find  some 
excuse  to  make  to  her  for  not  writing  (so  as  to 
shun  the  cross),  but  I  found  no  rest  of  mind  till 
I  told  her  the  true  reason.  I  remembered  that 
Christ  had  said,  '  He  that  is  not  willing  to  take 
up  his  cross  and  follow  me  is  not  worthy  of  me.' 
Although  the  enemy  often  suggested  to  me, 
that,  as  I  was  unable  to  write  myself,  if  I 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  61 

did  not  let  them  do  it  on  the  sabbath,  very  likely 
I  should  be  unable  to  get  any  one  to  write  for  me. 
But  thanks  be  unto  God,  who  enabled  me  to  re- 
solve, that,  if  I  could  write  on  no  other  day  but 
the  sabbath,  I  would  not  write  at  all,  except 
strictly  religious  letters  ;  and  these  I  do  not  think 
it  wrong  to  write  on  that  day. 

"  This  resolution,  made  in  the  strength  of  Christ, 
has  never  been  broken ;  and  the  Lord  has  always 
provided  for  me,  so  that  I  have  always  had  some 
one  to  write  for  me  when  I  needed,  and  I  am  con- 
fident I  always  shall.  I  believe  it  is  always  the 
safe  course  to  do  right,  to  honor  God,  and  keep 
his  law." 

Let  those  who  have  hands  of  their  own  to  use, 
follow  this  worthy  example. 

The  following  paragraph  is  extracted  from  a 
letter  written  to  her  uncle  in  1855 :  — 

"  DEAR  UNCLE,  —  I  wish  to  tell  you  something 
about  myself,  and  what  the  Lord  has  done  for  me. 
You  know  that  I  have  long  felt  that  I  had  some 
hopes  of  heaven ;  but  those  hopes  were  wandering 
and  unstable,  oftentimes  blown  about  by  the  wind 
of  circumstances.  Two  years  ago,  owing  to  an 
overwhelming  weight  of  domestic  trials,  the  little 
light  I  had  went  out,  and  all  was  utter  darkness. 
I  could  not  see  my  Father's  hand  which  held  the 
rod ;  and  often,  in  my  despair,  I  wished  for  death. 
But  oh  how  little  I  knew  what  I  was  desiring ! 
c 


62  HISTOKY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

Had  I  been  taken  at  my  word,  where  would  my 
poor  soul  have  been  ?  It  humbles  me  to  think  of 
it !  Oh,  the  goodness  and  mercy,  the  long-suffer- 
ing and  forbearance,  of  God  !  Thus  I  lived,  fight- 
ing against  his  will,  daring  to  raise  my  feeble  arm 
against  his  almighty  power ;  yet  he  withheld  not 
the  chastening  rod,  for  he  loved  me  still,  sinful 
and  sinning  as  I  was.  At  last  I  felt  that  none  but 
God  could  help  me.  I  began  to  cry  unto  him  to 
remove  the  cup  of  bitterness,  but  he  refused  to 
hear  me ;  then  I  prayed  for  grace  to  bear  it.  Now 
he  heard  my  prayer ;  and  light  began  to  dawn  upon 
my  soul,  faintly  at  first,  but  a  steady  and  increas- 
ing light.  My  soul  hungered  and  thirsted  after 
righteousness,  and  his  word  was  pledged  that  I 
should  be  filled.  This,  with  other  like  promises, 
I  claimed,  and  my  hopes  grew  brighter  and 
brighter ;  still  I  had  not  that  assurance  that  I  was 
accepted,  that  I  was  an  heir  of  God,  and  joint  heir 
with  Christ,  until  the  second  day  of  December, 
when'  his  Spirit  witnessed  with  my  spirit  that  I  was 
a  child  of  God.  And  now  with  confidence  I  can 
draw  nigh,  and  Father,  Abba  Father,  cry!  " 

In  another  letter,  referring  to  a  subsequent  visit 
from  this  uncle,  she  says,  — 

"  I  often  think  of  him,  and  the  visit  which  he 
paid  us,  as  one  of  the  green  spots  in  my  life, 
around  which  memory  loves  to  linger ;  and  how 
sweet  it  is  to  know  that,  — 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN   MARTYR.  63 

'  There  is  a  scene  where  spirits  blend, 
Where  friend  holds  fellowship  with  friend; 
Though  sundered  far,  by  faith  we  meet 
Around  one  common  mercy-seat ! ' 

"  Last  sabbath  was  a  good  day.  Mother  went 
to  meeting,  and  brought  home  some  of  the  good 
with  her.  The  text  in  the  morning  was :  '  Lovest 
thou  me  ? ' 

"  Does  it  not  seem  strange  to  hear  so  many  say, 
'  I  hope  I  love  the  Lord,'  but  can  speak  with  no 
greater  confidence  ?  Whoever  hears  any  one  say, 
4 1  hope  I  love  my  father,  my  mother,  husband, 
wife,  or  child  ? '  Yet  I  used  to  do  just  so ;  and 
that  makes  me  desire  all  the  more  to  point  others 
to  the  better  way,  that  they  may  find  that  assur- 
ance which  it  is  every  Christian's  privilege  to 
enjoy." 

In  another,  Feb.  21, 1857,  she  says,  "  My  health 
is  about  the  same  as  it  has  been,  and  my  soul  is  in 
prosperity.  I  feel  that  the  light  shines  upon  my 
pathway  brighter  and  brighter.  I  feel  a  more  in- 
tense and  burning  desire  to  do  and  suffer  the  will, 
the  whole  will,  and  nothing  but  the  will,. of  God. 
I  realize  — 

' ' '  His  purposes  are  ripening  fast, 

Unf  olding  every  hour  ; 
The  bud  may  have  a  bitter  taste, 
But  sweet  will  be  the  flower.'  " 

June  25, 1857,  she  writes  to  a  friend,  "  On  the 


64  HISTORY   OF   A   MODERN   MARTYR. 

first  sabbath  in  this  month  my  father  was  baptized 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  What  a  covenant- 
keeping  God !  How  faithful  to  all  his  exceeding 
great  and  precious  promises !  How  immutable  his 
promises  !  '  Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  thou  shalt  be  saved,  and  thy  house.'  '  Delight 
thyself  also  in  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  give  thee 
the  desire  of  thine  heart.'  These,  and  other  sim- 
ilar promises,  he  is  continually  fulfilling  in  his  own 
good  time ;  and  his  faithfulness  often  constrains  me 
to  cry  out,  '  What  shall  I  render  unto  thee  for  all 
thy  benefits  to  me,'  who  am  the  least  and  most 
unworthy  of  all  thy  children  ?  I  have  some  of  the 
time  of  late  walked  and  talked  with  God  in  the 
closest  communion  I  have  ever  known.  He  has 
given  me  the  most  remarkable  answers  to  prayer 
that  I  have  ever  received  ;  but  the  tempter  has 
roared  bravely  against  me  for  two  or  three  days 
past,  but  I  know  that  he  is  chained  so  that  he  can- 
not harm  me.  I  have  been  much  drawn  out  in 
prayer  of  late  in  behalf  of  you  and  your  people. 
May  the  Lord  strengthen  you  to  accomplish  great 
good  in  his  name  !  Yours  is  a  great  work,  and,  if 
well  done,  a  rich  reward  awaits  you ;  for,  '  they 
that  turn  many  to  righteousness  shall  shine  as  the 
stars  for  ever  and  ever/ 

"  '  Mount  up  the  heights  of  wisdom, 

And  crush  each  error  low; 
Keep  back  no  words  of  knowledge, 
That  human  hearts  should  know. 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  65 

Be  faithful  to  thy  mission, 

In  the  service  of  thy  Lord; 
And  then  a  golden  chaplet 

Shall  be  thy  just  reward.' 

"  Oh  !  let  not  '  the  sheaves  lie  ungathered,'  but 
thrust  in  thy  sharpened  sickle,  and  gather  into  the 
garner  of  thy  Lord!  Then,  when  your  work  is 
done,  you  will  hear  the  welcome  sound,  *  Well 
done,  good  and  faithful  servant !  enter  thou  into 
the  joy  of  thy  Lord.'  What  a  heart-sickening 
sight  to  behold  a  world  lying  in  wickedness,  and 
rejecting  so  great  and  so  free  salvation,  bought 
with  so  great  a  price,  even  the  precious  blood  of 
Jesus !  Is  it  not  enough  to  melt  the  heart,  and 
cause  the  tears  to  flow  ?  Oh !  let  us  do  with  our 
might,  while  the  day  lasts,  what  our  hands  find  to 
do,  and  act  well  our  part  in  the  great  work  which 
God  has  assigned  us." 

The  following  extract  is  from  a  letter  by  the 
Baptist  lady  referred  to  in  the  narration,  written 
Feb.  13,  1857:  — 

"Although  I  had  often  heard  of  my  friend's 
affliction,  I  was  wholly  unprepared  for  the  sight 
that  presented  itself  when  I  came  to  see  Sister 
Smith.  I  found  her  exceedingly  emaciated,  and 
prostrated  upon  a  bed  where  she  had  lain  many 
years,  with  limbs  contracted,  and  hands  well-nigh 
useless,  and  able  to  see  only  with  one  eye.  I  never 
saw  such  a  sight,  and  could  never  have  conceived 

6* 


66  HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

of  one  so  diseased  and  helpless  as  she  is.  As  I 
took  my  seat  by  her  bed,  and  looked  upon  her 
wasted  form,  and  realized  her  helpless  condition, 
and  heard  her  narration  of  what  she  had  passed 
through  in  -past  years,  and  saw,  also,  her  perfect 
resignation  to  her  heavenly  Father's  will,  I  could 
but  weep,  and  exclaim,  Lord,  what  art  thou  not 
able  to  do !  I  feel  that  it  has  not  been  in  vain 
that  I  have  been  permitted  to  see  her,  and  be  with 
her  for  some  little  time.  Such  patience,  and  firm 
confidence  in  God,  I  never  saw  before.  And  she 
was  desirous  to  do  (as  well  as  suffer)  all  she  could 
for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  others  around 
her,  confident  that  when  she  has  done  with  earth 
she  shall  find  a  '  house  not  made  with  hands,  eter- 
nal in  the  heavens.' 

"  What  a  lesson  for  those  who  murmur,  and 
complain  at  every  thing  that  does  not  accord  with 
their  wishes,  to  see  one  so  greatly  afflicted,  yet 
always  rejoicing !  L.  w." 

TESTIMONY  OF   HER  PASTOR,   REV.    OTIS    PERRIN. 

"  I  have  visited  her  a  number  of  tunes  during 
the  past  year ;  and  I  have  found  her  at  all  times, 
and  under  all  circumstances,  fully  reconciled  to 
God.  Indeed,  if  any  one  at  the  present  day  has 
learned  the  lesson  of  Paul,  that  in  whatever  state 
I  am,  therewith  to  be  content,  I  think  she  has.  I 
have  said,  I  thought  that  she  enjoyed  as  much 


HISTORY  OF   A  MODERN  MARTYR. 


67 


religion  as  all  the  rest  of  the  church.  Perhaps 
that  would  be  saying  too  much  ;  but  I  would  say, 
that  I  have  spent  eight  years  of  my  life  upon  a 
sick-bed,  and  have  seen  others  passing  through  all 
the  trying  vicissitudes  of  fortune  incident  to 
human  life,  yet  I  have  never  seen  one  where  I 
thought  there  were  such  displays  of  the  power  of 
divine  grace,  when  we  consider  that  she  has  lain 
in  the  same  posture  for  more  than  thirty  years. 
The  great  length  of  her  sickness  necessarily  ren- 
ders her  pecuniary  circumstances  trying  in  the 
extreme.  If  any  one  were  blessed  with  much  of 
the  good  things  of  this  world,  here  would  be  a 
good  opportunity  for  them  to  invest  some  of  their 
capital,  knowing  that  they  who  give  to  the  poor 
lend  unto  the  Lord." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

"Peace,  doubting  heart :  my  God's  I  am; 
Who  formed  me  man  forbids  my  fear; 
The  Lord  hath  called  me  by  my  name ; 
The  Lord  protects  ;  forever  near; 
His  blood  for  me  did  once  atone, 
And  still  he  loves  and  guards  his  own." 

PHCENIXYTLLE,  May  24,  1867. 

MRS.  LAWRENCE. 

Dear  Madam,  —  I  learn  that  you  are  preparing, 
for  the  public  eye,  a  history  of  the  life,  suffering, 
and  experience  of  Lizzie  O.  Smith.  As  I  am  a 
distant  relative,  and  have  known  her  for  many 
years,  and  living  as  I  do  a  very  short  distance  from 
her  home,  I  have  felt  that  I  should  like  to  add  a 
few  items  that  may,  perhaps,  aid  you  in  your 
efforts. 

I  was  well  acquainted  with  her  mother,  and 
knew  Lizzie  as  a  little  child ;  but  after  the  break- 
ing up  of  the  family,  in  consequence  of  the  death 
of  her  mother,  I  nearly  lost  sight  of  her  for  several 
years ;  in  fact,  I  knew  but  little  of  her  for  some 
years,  until  she  was  brought  back  to  her  early 
home  a  helpless  cripple.  She  had  then  been  sick 

68 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  69 

some  five  or  six  years.  Soon  after  her  return,  I 
visited  her.  My  feelings  were  stirred  with  the 
deepest  sympathy  as  I  looked  upon  this  afflicted 
child  of  sorrow.  As  I  left  her  bedside,  and  turned 
my  steps  homeward,  I  cannot  describe  the  emo- 
tions that  swelled  my  bosom,  as  I  thought  of  the 
condition  of  that  poor  motherless  girl.  As  I  re- 
flected upon  her  situation,  I  thought,  perhaps,  had 
her  mother  lived,  she  would  never  have  come  to 
this.  Being  a  mother  myself,  I  could  feel  this  as 
none  but  a  mother  could. 

The  little  patrimony  that  was  left  for  the  chil- 
dren when  the  mother  died  was  soon  spent  to  pro- 
vide for  the  necessary  care  and  medical  aid  for 
the  suffering  one,  as  well,  also,  as  that  which  her 
father  could  earn  besides.  On  the  above-men- 
tioned visit  I  saw  that  she  was  needy,  and  soon 
procured  some  print  to  make  her  a  dress ;  and  from 
tune  to  time  continued  to  add  things  for  her  com- 
fort according  as  my  means  would  allow.  All 
that  has  been  said  of  her  helpless  and  needy  con- 
dition is  true,  as  I,  who  am  so  intimately  ac- 
quainted with  all  the  facts  concerning  her  case, 
can  speak  with  assurance. 

Although  she  never  asked  aid  of  any  one ;  yet  I 
felt  she  needed  it,  and  more  than  my  limited 
means  could  supply.  So,  unknown  to  her,  I  had 
a  little  box  made,  and  passed  it  around  to  some  of 
the  young  ladies ;  then  carried  it,  with  the  few 
dollars  it  contained,  and  placed  it  upon  the  table 


70  HISTORY  OF   A   MODERN  MARTYR. 

that  stood  at  the  head  of  her  little  couch,  hoping 
that  it  might  meet  the  eye  of  the  benevolent  caller, 
and  remind  them  that  here  was  an  object  that 
needed  material  sympathy. 

In  1855  she  was  taken  very  ill,  and  to  all  ap- 
pearances her  days  were  numbered.  I  was  called 
several  times  to  her  bedside,  as  it  was  supposed,  to 
see  her  breathe  her  last.  She  thought  her  work  on 
earth  was  done,  and  seemed  perfectly  resigned  to 
the  will  of  God.  At  one  time,  when  life  had  ap- 
parently fled,  but  just  before  utterance  failed  her, 
she  was  asked  by  one  that  stood  near  her,  "if 
Jesus  was  precious."  She  distinctly  and  firmly 
answered  "  Yes."  She  hung  thus  for  weeks  be- 
tween life  and  death.  Death  was  a  subject  which 
she  conversed  upon  with  as  much  composure  and 
pleasure  as  she  would  have  done  had  she  been 
going  to  take  a  journey  to  see  some  dearly  beloved 
friend. 

She  was  much  beloved  by  the  young  people  in 
our  place ;  and  it  was  their  desire,  that,  should  she 
be  taken  away,  her  remains  should  be  placed 
in  the  cemetery  where  the  last  relics  of  the 
lamented  Gen.  Lyon  now  rest.  This  request  she 
readily  granted,  and  had  a  spot  selected  where 
her  body  was  to  be  laid,  although  most  of  her 
relatives  were  buried  in  a  cemetery  two  miles 
distant.  Contrary  to  expectation  of  all,  she 
recovered :  her  work  was  not  done,  and  I  feel  that 
she  has  been  the  means  of  doing  much  good  in  the 


HISTORY  OP  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  71 

service  of  our  common  Lord  and  master ;  certainly 
my  own  soul  has  enjoyed  rich  feasts  of  love,  and 
been  greatly  blessed  in  my  frequent  visits  at  her 
humble  abode.  Many  hours  have  we  spent  in 
sweet  counsel  together,  talking  of  the  deep  and 
glorious  things  of  God;  and  the  precious  social 
meetings,  both  prayer  and  class,  that  we  have  had 
in  her  room,  have  been  precious  indeed.  They 
have  been  held  there  weekly  and  semi-weekly, 
for  some  five  or  six  years.  I  have  thought  some- 
times they  would  hardly  have  been  -sustained  had 
it  not  been  for  her.  She  has  often,  in  the  absence 
of  preacher  and  class-leader,  taken  the  lead  of  the 
meetings,  as  we  all  thought  she  was  the  most 
capable  of  doing  it.  We  feel,  too,  that  her  pray- 
ers and  labors  have  availed  much  in  bringing  souls 
to  Christ  in  this  place,  and  encouraging  believers 
on  in  the  good  way. 

The  sorrowful  always  love  to  go  for  sympathy 
to  her,  knowing  that  in  her  they  will  find  a  true 
friend.  Even  our  ministers  feel  that  there  is  a 
power  in  her  influence  which  helps  much  to 
strengthen  and  encourage  them  in  their  labors. 

Some  years  ago  I  felt  that  her  room  needed 
refitting  up  ;  and,  as  I  did  not  feel  able  to  do  all 
that  was  necessary  to  be  done,  I  had  a  subscrip- 
tion paper  drawn  up  without  letting  her  know  of 
it,  and  carried  it  to  a  great  meeting  which  was  held 
in  the  west  part  of  our  town,  to  see  if  I  could  not 
collect  something  to  help  in  this  matter.  The 


72  HISTORY  OF   A  MODERN  MARTYR 

people  contributed  quite  liberally,  so  that  we  were 
able  to  make  her  room  much  more  comfortable  and 
pleasant  than  before.  She  always  appeared  very 
thankful  for  any  acts  of  kindness  bestowed  upon 
her. 

I  am  very  thankful  that  in  you  she  has  found 
so  good  and  powerful  a  friend,  and  you  will  not 
loose  any  thing  for  what  you  do  for  her.  It  is  be- 
cause of  the  interest  I  take  in  her  welfare  that  I 
have  noted  down  these  few  ideas  and  incidents,  to 
aid  you  in  your  efforts  in  her  behalf,  and  to  do 
good  to  others  who  may  read  of  her  life-long  suf- 
ferings and  patience,  and  the  faith  which  has  so 
gloriously  triumphed  over  it  all.  If  you  think 
what  I  have  written  is  worthy  of  any  notice,  use 
it  at  your  discretion. 

B.    P.    BULLARD. 
NEVER   APPLIED  TO   THE   TOWN   FOR   AID. 

It  has  been  intimated  that  Sister  Smith  was  poor, 
and  this  was  true.  Still  it  is  a  commendable  fact 
that  in  all  her  poverty  she  never  applied  to  the 
town  for  aid ;  but  by  prayer  and  supplication 
she  made  known  her  requests  unto  God.  Mrs. 
Lawrence  had  asked  her  about  this  matter,  and 
she  replies,  — 

"  I  think  I  can  answer  you  satisfactorily  as  to 
receiving  aid  from  the  town.  Whenever  my 
necessities  have  needed  aid,  I  have  always  made 


HISTORY   OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  78 

application  to  him  whom  I  love  and  whose  I  am, 
and  have  ever  found  him  to  be  such  a  covenant- 
keeping  God,  that  my  wants  have  ever  been  sup- 
plied so  freely,  that  I  have  never  been  obliged  to 
make  application  to  the  town.  He  has  always 
raised  up  some  such  voluntary  friend  as  yourself, 
in  every  time  of  need,  by  which  he  has  magnified 
his  power  and  his  purpose  to  take  care  of  those 
that  trust  him  ;  and  surely  you  would,  join  with  me 
in  praising  him  for  his  goodness  and  condescension 
in  doing  so,  could  you  but  know  how  the  poor  in 
our  town  are  cared  for,  and  in  what  hands  they  are 
placed,  being  sold  by  the  year  to  the  lowest  bidder. 
I  feel  that  it  calls  for  gratitude  from  the  deepest 
depths  of  my  soul,  that  the  Lord  has  never  per- 
mitted me,  helpless  as  I  am,  to  come  to  that ;  and 
I  trust  he  never  will." 

REPAIRING  THE  HOUSE. 

The  home  of  the  dear  sister  needed  many  re- 
pairs. The  roof  was  leaky ;  the  back  side  was  all 
out  of  repair.  She  says,  "  My  building  method  pro- 
gresses slowly:  we  have  got  the  old  part  newly 
silled  and  newly  clapboarded  where  it  was  neces- 
sary. It  was  very  badly  decayed,  and  has  been 
much  more  expensive  to  fix  it  than  we  expected. 
My  carpenter,  Mr.  Bullard  said,  thought  it  would 
have  been  all  down  on  the  back  side,  had  it  not 
l)cen  fixed  in  three  years.  The  bank  wall,  which 
t  was  necessary  to  build,  is  finished,  and  the  under- 

7 


74  HISTOEY   OF    A   MODEEN    MAETYE. 

pinning  is  ready,  and  the  sills  for  the  new  post  are 
laid  ;  the  Lord  willing,  the  frame  will  be  raised  next 
week.  I  ani  having  it  built  plain  but  substantial." 
Just  think  of  it,  a  poor  invalid  superintending 
the  building  of  a  new  part  to  her  humble  home 
and  repairing  the  decaying  part,  and  calling  upon 
God  for  money  to  do  all  this ;  and  this  money  was 
forthcoming  from  her  many  friends  in  various 
places. 

ONE  DOLLAE   PEE   WEEK   BY  WILL. 

About  this  time  a  Mrs.  Smith  of  Hartford,  Conn., 
a  cousin  of  Miss  Smith,  died  ;  and  in  her  will  she 
left  her  one  dollar  per  week  during  her  natural 
life. 

ATTENDING    CAMP-MEETINGS     AND     GEOVE-MEET- 
INGS. 

By  the  kindness  of  her  friends,  she  was  carried 
on  her  bed  to  the  Willimantic  camp-meeting  from 
year  to  year,  and  then  to  a  grove-meeting  that  was 
held  in  her  own  town  every  fall ;  and  she  took  a 
great  interest  in  such  places,  and  was  made  a  great 
blessing  to  many  of  the  sinners  and  saints  that 
would  love  to  gather  about  her,  to  hear  her  relate 
the  dealings  of  God  to  her  soul.  Hence  she  says,  "  I 
enjoyed  the  camp-meeting  and  the  grove-meeting 
very  much.  I  feel  the  Lord  blessed  me  greatly, 
and  strengthened  me  more  than  ever  for  future 
endurance,  and  fitted  me  up  to  meet  the  trials  of 


HISTOBY  OF   A  MODERN   MAETYE.  75 

life,  for  they  are  plenty.  Many  of  them  are  from 
the  increasing  infirmities  of  my  parents ;  but  the 
promises  of  my  Father  are  literally  fulfilled  to  me  : 
4  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee.'  And,  4  As  thy 
day  is,  so  shall  thy  strength  be ; '  also,  '  I  will 
never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee.'  Oh !  how  like 
the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land  is  the 
Lord  to  me  !  how  I  love  to  look  into  the  beams  of 
that  sunlight  that  emanates  from  the  infinite  'I 
AM,  the  God  of  love  and  power ! ' : 

SEVENTY  LETTEES  IN  TEN  WEEKS. 

At  one  time  her  friends  were  so  stirred  up  in  her 
behalf,  that  the  letters  came  in  at  a  great  rate,  even 
as  fast  as  some  business  men  receive  them ;  so  that  it 
was  difficult  to  find  any  one  to  reply  to  them  all, 
or  to  keep  a  just  account  of  the  amount  of  money 
in  every  letter.  In  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Lawrence, 
she  writes,  — 

"MY  DEAE  FEIEND  AND  BENEFACTEESS, — 
I  have  felt,  in  view  of  what  has  been  done  for 
me  by  others,  through  your  instrumentality,  that 
those  letters  ought  to  be  acknowledged  by  the 
public  press,  by  the  use  of  which  they  have  been 
secured  to  me.  One  reason  why  I  feel  anxious  about 
this  is,  because  necessity  has  obliged  me,  for  the 
want  of  a  scribe,  to  limit  my  letters  of  acknowl- 
edgment to  the  fewest  words  possible.  Then 
quite  a  number  of  the  letters  were  anonymous  or 


76  HISTORY   OF   A  MODERN   MARTYR. 

blanks.  I  have  endeavored  to  answer  when  the 
address  was  plainly  given.  I  have  about  seventy 
letters  in  ten  weeks.  I  should  have  been  delighted 
to  tell  them  all  how  much  their  benefactions 
added  to  my  comfort  in  my  helpless  and  dependent 
condition.  I  would  love  to  have  told  them,  too,  of 
the  consolations  of  that  grace  which  has  buoyed 
my  soul  above  the  afflictions  and  sorrows  of  earth, 
and  given  me  the  power  to  rejoice  with  a  joy  that 
is  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory,  and  filled  me  with 
a  hope  of  immortality.  I  feel  that  I  have  no 
language  sufficiently  expressive  to  convey  to  others 
the  love  of  God's  goodness  to  me. 

"  When  I  think,  dear  friend,  of  that  one  short 
interview  with  you,  and  of  the  benefits  to  me 
therefrom,  I  am  led  to  exclaim,  How  mysterious 
are  the  ways  of  God,  and  yet  how  good  !  " 

All  this  was  to  aid  her  in  repairing  and  enlar- 
ging her  home,  and  so  the  Lord  did  bountifully  pro- 
vide ;  and  the  house  was  enlarged  and  fitted  up 
with  an  economy  and  neatness  that  commends  itself 
to  all. 

ONE-TENTH    OF    HER    INCOME     TO    GOD'S    CAUSE. 

The  reader  will  be  delighted  to  know  that 
the  cause  of  God  lay  so  near  to  the  heart  of 
our  sister,  that  she  devoted  one-tenth  of  her  in- 
come to  the  support  thereof;  and  I  fear  she  will 
put  many^a  Christian  to  a  blush  when  .they  read 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN   MARTYR.  77 

her  letter  to  Mrs.  Lawrence.  She  says,  that  out 
of  the  receipts  from  letters,  sent  through  Mrs.  L., 
"  About  sixty  dollars  of  it  has  been  spent  in  re- 
pairs on  the  house.  I  have  purchased  for  my  room 
a  new  parlor  stove,  and  some  articles  of  bed-cloth- 
ing for  myself,  and  a  large  woollen  shawl,  which 
things  I  have  very  much  needed,  especially  when 
going  from  home.  I  have  bought  a  barrel  of  flour 
and  some  groceries,  &c.  After  appropriating  one- 
tenth  of  the  whole  as  an  offering  to  God,  I  sin- 
cerely make  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  in  accordance 
with  a  promise  formerly  made  to  God ;  believing 
it  to  be  a  positive  duty  enjoined  under  the  pres- 
ent as  well  as  during  the  past  dispensation." 

Let  us  reflect  on  this  a  moment.  1.  She  believes 
it  to  be  a  positive  duty  to  devote  one-tenth  to  the 
cause  of  Christ.  2.  That  this  is  enjoined  in  the 
new  as  well  as  under  the  old  dispensation.  3. 
That  she  had  made  a  promise  formerly  to  God. 
4.  When  her  income  was  enlarged  she  kept  her  pro- 
mise, which  I  fear  many  do  not  do.  5.  How  many 
of  the  readers  will  go  and  do  likewise.  6.  Can 
God  be  satisfied  with  a  Christian  who  gives  less  to 
his  cause  than  he  required  by  law  from  a  Jew. 
Reader !  what  do  you  say  to  this  ? 

LETTER   OF    SYMPATHY. 

Our  dear  Mrs.  Lawrence,  who  had  been  so  kind 
to  Miss  Smith,  was  brought  into  affliction  herself, 
and  how  quickly  a  letter  is  sent  from  Miss  Smith 

7* 


78  HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

to  show  the   depth  of  her  feeling  for  a  faithful 
friend  in  her  hour  of  trial,  as  follows  :  — 

"  MRS.  LAWRENCE,  —  My  dear  friend,  will  you 
consider  it  intrusive  if  I  offer  you  a  few  words  of 
sympathy  in  midst  of  your  great  sorrow.  I  have 
wanted  to  write  to  you  ever  since  I  heard  from 
'  Zion's  Herald '  of  your  bereavement,  several 
weeks  ago.  But  I  have  felt  that  words  from  human 
lips  were  insufficient  to  meet  the  needs  of  your 
sorrow-stricken  heart,  and  it  would  be  almost  like 
mockery  to  offer  them.  I  have  felt  that  I  would 
like  to  twine  my  arms  around  your  neck,  and 
whisper  words  of  comfort  to  you  in  the  name  of 
Him,  who  in  all  our  afflictions  is  afflicted.  He  can 
give  the  balm  that  will  heal  the  wounds  which 
the  keen  arrows  of  death  make,  when  he  strikes 
and  lays  low  in  the  dust  our  loved  ones.  May  he, 
that  can  comfort  as  a  mother  comforteth  her  chil- 
dren, comfort  you  in  your  sorrow  !  You  have  often 
been  remembered  at  the  throne  of  grace,  where 
I  love  to  go  and  carry  all  my  own  wants  and  griefs, 
and  those  of  my  dear  friends,  among  whom  I  num- 
ber you,  to  whom  I  owe  a  great  debt  of  gratitude. 
That  little  orphaned  one,  who  will  never  know  a 
father's  or  a  mother's  love,  I  think  of  too. 

"  Remember  me  affectionately  to  your  husband, 
and  say  to  him,  that  the  crippled  one  in  the  hum-, 
ble  '  brown  house  on  the  hillside  '  thinks  of  him 
in  his  sorrow,  and  sympathizes  with  him  in  the 


HISTORY  OF   A  MODEEN  MARTYR.  79 

keen  anguish  he  must  have  felt  when  he  saw  the 
king  of  terrors  bear  away  from  his  sight  a  loved 
member  of  his  own  household.  '  Death  loves  a 
shining  mark.' 

"  Yours,  in  the  loving  bonds  of  Christ, 

"  LIZZIE  O.  SMITH." 

EXPRESSION   OF   PERSONAL   PIETY. 

The  letters  of  Sister  Smith  are  fine  expressions 
of  her  deep  piety ;  see  the  following  extract :  "  The 
river  of  salvation  is  deep  ;  we  may  drink,  and 
drink,  and  drink  again,  and  never  exhaust  it.  Oh, 
the  height,  the  depth,  the  length,  the  breadth,  of 
God's  love  !  who  can  comprehend  it  ?  The  more 
I  taste,  the  more  I  want :  only  the  Fountain-head 
above  can  satisfy  the  thirst  of  love.  The  more  I 
see  of  his  infinite  purity,  mercy,  and  love,  the 
more  humbled  I  feel,  and  the  smaller  I .  seem  in 
his  sight,  and  the  more  I  desire  to  be  like  him." 

A   TRIAL  OF  FAITH. 

"  I  have  had  nothing  come  in  since  I  last  wrote 
to  you.  My  straitened  circumstances  have  of  late 
produced  some  anxious  thoughts ;  but  this  morn- 
ing I  awoke  before  the  dawn  of  day,  and  I  was 
rebuked  and  refreshed  and  strengthened  by  the 
Spirit's  application,  and  also  by  the  parable  of  the 
birds  of  the  air  and  of  the  lilies  of  the  field.  And 
the  words  of  Jesus,  '  Oh,  ye  of  little  faith,'  went 
to  my  heart,  with  a  fervor  that  I  have  no  language 


80  HISTORY   OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

to  express.  Praise  the  Lord !  for  such  reproof  anil 
assurances  from  the  great  Caretaker.  Hallelujah  ! 
Let  all  the  earth  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness. 
Amen." 

HOLY   TRIUMPH. 

"  My  circumstances  are  at  the  present  more 
trying  than  usual.  Mother's  health  has  been  very 
poor  all  the  spring,  and  for  three  weeks  has  been 
failing  rapidly.  I  am  powerfully  testing  the 
promises  of  God,  and  I  find  him  faithful.  Through 
the  abounding  grace  of  God  I  am  kept  in  perfect 
peace,  having  the  rest  of  faith,  and  the  full  assur- 
ance that  the  Lord  doeth  all  things  well.  He 
who  forgetteth  not  to  care  for  the  sparrows  will 
not  forget  me.  Oh,  my  dear  friend  !  the  Lord  is 
good  always,  and  I  see  his  loving  hand  in  every 
thing.  He  is  the  Friend  that  sticketh  closer  than 
a  brother.  He  is  indeed  precious  to  my  soul.  Our 
physician  thinks  that  mother  cannot  live  long :  her 
lungs  are  ulcerated.  I  am  feeling  tired  and  care- 
worn in  body,  but  strong  in  the  Lord." 


CHAPTER  VH. 

"  Since  thou  hast  bid  me  come  to  thee 
(Good  as  thou  art,  and  strong  to  save), 
I'll  walk  o'er  life's  tempestuous  sea, 
Upborne  by  thy  unyielding  wave, 
Dauntless,  though  rocks  of  pride  be  near, 
And  yawning  whirlpools  of  despair." 

WHILE  the  war  of  the  rebellion  was  raging,  the 
heart  of  Sister  Smith  was  lifted  to  God  for  the 
brave  patriots  who  had  gone  to  the  South  to  lay 
down  their  lives  for  the  country  they  loved ;  and 
among  the  rest  was  the  noble  and  valiant  Gen. 
Lyon,  a  native  of  Eastford,  who  fell  so  soon  in  the 
fierce  engagement  of  Wilson's  Creek.  His  mor- 
tal remains  are  laid  in  the  cemetery,  quite  near 
to  the  home  of  Lizzie  ;  and  the  following  letter 
will  explain  the  rest,  from  one  who  to  me  is 
unknown :  — 

"  On  that  memorable  day,  which  occurs  only  once 
in  a  life-time,  in  which  governors,  statesmen, 
patriots,  and  military  heroes  came  together  at 
Eastford,  Conn.,  to  bury  the  mutilated  body  of 
Gen.  Lyon,  whose  heroic  spirit  and  noble  deeds 

81 


82  HISTORY   OF   A   MODERN    MARTYR. 

will  ever  grace  the  pages  of  our  nation's  history, 
I  first  made  the  acquaintance  with  the  subject  of 
this  brief  narrative.  After  listening  to  the  stirring 
speeches  made  on  that  memorable  occasion,  our 
company  passed  on  before  them  to  the  place  of 
interment,  while  the  procession  was  being  formed, 
to  the  south  part  of  the  parish,  quite  near  to  the 
residence  of  Miss  L.  O.  Smith.  One  of  the  lady 
friends  of  our  company,  seeing  a  small  bed  on  the 
little  hillock  just  south  of  the  cemetery,  went  to 
explore  what  it  contained,  and  came  back  to  us 
with  the  following  request :  '  Come  up  and  see 
the  young  lady  yonder;  she  is  one  of  the  most 
patient  and  happy  persons  you  ever  saw,  and 
appears  to  be  almost  entirely  helpless.  She  has 
heard  of  you  by  report,  and  would  be  glad  to  see- 
you  and  converse  with  you.' 

"  The  story  of  human  suffering,  to  the  Christian 
heart,  whether  of  body,  mind,  or  estate,  true  ever 
to  itself,  always  finds  a  response.  Somewhat 
reluctantly,  as  a  stranger  would  naturally  feel,  I 
complied  with  her  request,  and  immediately 
repaired  to  the  little  couch  of  the  patient  Chris- 
tian sufferer,  who,  as  the  narrative  states,  had 
been  for  many  years  under  a  process  of  refinement 
in  one  of  the  deepest  trying  furnaces  of  physical 
pain  and  mental  agony,  depriving  her  of  almost 
every  physical  enjoyment,  amounting  to  complete 
prostration  of  every  nerve  and  muscle.  Such  a 
complete  victory  over  so  much  physical  deprivation 


HISTORY   OF   A   MODERN    MARTYR.  83 

and  mental  resource  of  enjoyment,  I  had  not  met 
before  in  my  short  .pilgrimage. 

"  The  beautiful  photograph  of  the  original,  lying 
before  me  as  I  write,  brings  the  whole  scene  of  this 
happy  event  vividly  to  mind.  And  I  can  truth- 
fully say,  from  our  first  interview  of  about  thirty 
minutes,  that  happy  face  shining  so  deeply  down 
in  the  furnace,  as  I  then  saw  it,  together  with  her 
patient  resignation  under  her  affliction,  had  so 
daguerrotyped  her  form  in  my  mind,  that  had  I 
not  seen  her  on  earth,  or  her  picture,  I  think  I 
should  have  remembered  it  when  I  met  her  in  that 
beautiful  world,  where  poisonous  drugs,  admin- 
istered by  the  hand  of  professedly  learned  quacks, 
never  can  destroy  or  belittle  the  bodies  of  its 
redeemed  inhabitants.  We  were  strangers  but 
for  a  few  moments  ;  for  our  spirits  mingled  together 
at  the  throne  of  grace  in  vocal  prayer  as  a  brother 
and  sister  of  Christ's  spiritual  family,  which  made 
us  at  home  at  once.  That  brief  interview  has 
often  afforded  me  pleasure  on  reflection  ;  and  that 
little  episode  in  life's  short  journey  will  afford  me 
pleasure  when  in  that  world  of  light  and  glory  we 
contemplate  the  pleasing  reminiscences  of  our 
earthly  pilgrimage. 

"  The  moral  heroic  and  the  military  were  so  con- 
trasted in  nay  own  mind,  that  the  former  was  to  me 
as  much  higher  than  the  latter  as  the  heavens  are 
higher  than  the  earth,  or  as  high  above  each  other 
as  the  -eternal  honors  of  God  are  more  enduring 


84  HISTORY   OF   A    MODERN  MARTYR. 

than  the  honors  of  men.  The  one  began  to  die 
away  and  fade  the  moment  the  roar  of  the 
musketry  ceased  over  that  pale,  manly  form,  and 
may  finally  die  with  the  history  of  the  nation. 
The  other  rises  higher  on  earth,  in  the  enlight- 
ened Christian's  mind,  until  it  conquers  sin,  death, 
hell,  and  the  grave,  and  will  be  rising  higher  and 
still  higher  to  all  eternity.  May  that  victory  and 
conquest  be  that  of  the  author  and  every  reader  of 
this  brief  narrative,  is  the  prayer  of  N.  G." 

How  precious  it  is  to  read  over  the  letters  of  a 
friend  who  lives  so  near  to  God.  I  cannot  withhold 
the  following  extracts  of  letters  sent  to  Mrs. 
Lawrence  :  — 

"  My  health  is  quite  good  for  me  ;  and  I  am 
happy  in  the  Lord,  and  feel  that  whatsoever  trials 
I  am  called  to  pass  through  are  among  the  '  all 
things  that  work  together  for  my  good.'  For  I 
do  know  that  I  love  God:  therefore,  I  have  an 
assurance  from  the  great  I  AM,  who  can  utter 
nothing  but  eternal  and  immutable  truth.  Oh,  it 
seems  to  me,  sometimes,  as  if  I  never  felt  the  love 
of  God  bum  with  such  an  intense,  constant,  and 
powerful  ardor  upon  the  altar  of  my  heart  as  it 
has  for  a  few  months  past !  Oh,  that  all  the  world 
might  taste  and  see  the  riches  of  his  grace  !  " 

Again  she  writes,  "  Please  say  to  Dr.  Lawrence 
that  I  owe  him  a  thousand  thanks  for  an  article 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  85 

from  his  pen,  entitled,  '  The  Illuminated  Valley,' 
which  I  read  in  '  Zion's  Herald.'  Oh,  how  really 
it  harmonized  with  my  own  experience,  under 
similar  circumstances !  What  glory  can  we  catch 
through  the  cracks  and  crevices  of  dissolving- 
nature,  of  the  sweet  sunshine  of  the  beautiful 
beyond !  How  delightful  to  feel  that  our  impris- 
oned spirits  are  almost  free,  — just  ready  to  spread 
their  pinions  to  soar  away  to  find  their  long-sought 
rest  upon  the  Saviour's  loving  breast !  I  hope,  if 
the  Lord  will,  that  the  doctor  may  be  spared  long 
to  bless  the  world  with  his  teachings,  and  have 
health  sufficient  to  be  abundant  in  labors  in  the 
cause  of  Christ. 

"  I  am  much  happier  in  my  Christian  experience 
than  in  the  early  part  of  winter.  For  a  season 
then  I  toiled  much ;  but  grace  has  again  tri- 
umphed, and  I  am  happy,  gloriously  happy,  in  the 
Lord.  It  seems  as  though  I  never  loved  so  well 
to  be  alone  with  Jesus,  and  hold  sweet  com- 
munion with  him.  The  burden  of  my  prayer  has 
been  for  a  more  direct,  free,  and  complete  union 
and  communion  with  the  Lord,  and  a  deeper  and 
more  sensible  consciousness  of  the  divine  presence 
with  me,  and  greater  revelations  of  the  mysteries 
of  his  kingdom,  and  the  hid  treasures  of  wis- 
dom and  knowledge.  And  he  who  despises  not 
the  prayer  of  the  destitute  has  heard  and  an- 
swered by  pouring  out,  in  rich  effusions,  his  Spirit 
upon  me.  Oh,  yes,  I  know  I  love  the  Lord !  I 


86  HISTORY  OF  A   MODERN   MARTYR. 

love  his  cause.  I  love  his  kingdom.  I  love  poor 
sinners,  too,  for  whom  Christ  died.  To  say  that 
I  am  willing  to  die  for  them  is  to  say  but  little  ; 
but  when  I  say  that  I  am  willing  to  live  for  them 
(which  I  have  felt  able  to  say  for  some  years  past), 
then  I  offer  a  sacrifice  that  costs  me  something." 

To  the  same  she  writes,  "  Spiritually  I  have 
been  some  part  of  the  winter  baptized  into  the  Lord 
in  a  cloud.  Though  now,  by  faith,  I  have  an  open 
vision  of  the  goodness  and  the  glory  of  God,  such 
intense  longings  after  the  divine  image,  and  a  deep 
and  abiding  consciousness  of  the  presence  of  the 
Three  in  One,  as  I  have  seldom,  if  ever,  had  be- 
fore. It  has  seemed  sometimes  as  if  the  immortal 
part  of  my  being  would  burst  away  from  its 
shackles  of  mortality,  and  soar  to  its  native  land, 
and  find  its  resting-place  in  the  bosom  of  my 
Jesus. 

"I  AM  HAPPY,  —  SO   HAPPY! 

walking  to  and  fro  through  the  flames  '  leaning  on 
my  Beloved.'  How  quietly  we  rest  when  we  are 
all  the  Lord's,  living  in  full  assurance  that  the 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ  has  cleansed  us  from  all 
sin." 

But  trials  still  awaited  this  saint  of  God,  as  the 
next  extract  explains.  Joys  and  sorrows  are  the 
common  lot  of  this  world.  Of  her  sick  mother 
she  writes,  "  We  had  flattered  ourselves  that  she 
would  stay  with  us  through  the  winter,  if  no 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN  MARTYR.  87 

longer ;  but  our  hopes  were  in  vain,  and  we  are 
again  taught  to  know  that  '  God's  ways  are  not 
our  ways,  and  his  thoughts  are  not  our  thoughts.' 

"  On  the  twenty-second  of  September  mother 
died.  Although  feeble,  mother  had  been  about 
her  work  as  usual  in  the  forenoon  ;  and  in  the 
early  part  of  the  afternoon,  while  washing  out  a 
shirt  for  father,  she  had  a  paralytic  shock,  and  fell 
to  the  floor.  There  was  no  one  with  me  except  a 
little  girl  of  nine  years.  I  sent  her  for  assistance, 
which  soon  came.  She  was  apparently  nearly 
dead  when  help  reached  her ;  but,  being  laid  upon 
her  bed,  she  rallied  somewhat,  and  was  conscious 
for  nearly  an  hour.  Then  she  slept  most  of  the 
time  until  nearly  two  o'clock  the  next  morning, 
when  she  passed  SiW&y  without  moving  a  limb  or  a 
muscle,  although  she  seemed  to  labor  for  breath. 
On  Friday  her  mortal  remains  were  laid  away  in 
the  silent  grave,  to  rest  until  the  resurrection 
morn. 

"  But  I  cannot  tell  you,  in  any  way,  the  debt  of 
gratitude  I  owe  to  God  for  the  all-sufficient  sus- 
taining grace  in  these  hours  of  severe  trial.  It 
has  put  my  faith  to  a  severe  test,  yet  it  fails  not. 
My  gratitude  entirely  swallowed  up  my  grief, 
God  was  so  good  in  the  midst  of  it  all.  What  we 
shall  do  for  help,  I  do  not  know." 


HISTORY  OF  A  MODERN   MARTYR. 

THOUGHTS   ON  A   LITE-BOOK   OP   HER   SUFFER- 
INGS. 

Mrs.  Lawrence  has  for  years  had  it  on  her  mind 
and  heart  to  prepare  a  manuscript  record  of  Sister 
Smith ;  and  it  may  be  well  to  see  what  Sister  S. 
thought  of  the  matter :  "I  think  such  a  work,  in 
order  to  be  useful,  should  be  written  in  such  a 
style  as  to  interest  readers,  or  its  circulation  will 
be  limited.  I  have  made  the  matter  a  subject  of 
prayer,  and  have  decided  to  accept  your  proposal, 
and  ask  you  to  make  the  book  as  interesting  as 
you  can,  and  leave  the  result  with  God.  I  think 
I  have  learned  the  lesson  of  trust  more  perfectly 
within  the  past  few  months  than  I  have  ever  done 
before.  I  have  come  to  rest  all  my  affairs,  both 
temporal  and  spiritual,  in  the  hands  of  God,  and 
he  has  never  disappointed  my  faith  ;  and  if  he  sees 
that  the  narrative  of  my  somewhat  peculiar  life 
and  sufferings,  and  the  triumphs  of  his  grace,  are 
likely  to  do  good  in  the  world,  I  do  not  fear  but 
he  will  give  it  circulation." 

This  has  the  true  ring  in  it ;  and  I  will  add  that 
two  weeks  ago  I  had  no  idea  of  writing  this  nar- 
rative ;  but  I  have  been  led  into  it  in  a  kind  of 
providential  way,  as  I  had  opportunity,  and  I  now 
believe  that  God's  hand  is  in  it,  and  that  it  will 
prosper.  I  have  avoided  mental  labor  for  the  past 
few  weeks,  because  of  a  trouble  in  my  head ;  but 
I  have  been  graciously  sustained  in  this  labor 


HISTOEY  OF  A   MODERN  MAETYE.  89 

of  love,  and  have  succeeded  far  better  than  I  ex- 
pected.    Lord  help  me  through ! 

The  following  is  indeed  touching. 

In  1866  the  Methodist  Church  raised  about  nine 
millions  of  dollars  as  a  centenary  offering  ;  and  our 
good  sister  could  not  let  such  a  time  as  that  pass 
by  without  doing  her  share,  so  she  sent  her  offer- 
ing ;  and  the  following  letter  will  show  how  it  was 
received. 

PHCESUXVILLE,  CONN.,  April  27,  1866. 

DEAE  Miss  WILLAED,  —  Having  read  in  "  Zi- 
on's  Herald  "  of  your  purpose  to  furnish,  as  a  cen- 
tenary offering,  a  home  for  the  students  of  the 
Garrett  Biblical  Institute  in  Evanston,  to  be  called 
Heck  Hall,  I  here  enclose  one  dollar  to  aid  you  in 
your  efforts  to  do  so. 

It  is  not  the  widow's  but  the  cripple's  mite ;  and 
were  it  larger  it  would  be  most  cheerfully  be- 
.  stowed.  It  is  a  portion  of  the  tenth  which  the 
hand  of  charity  bestows  upon  me,  and  which 
has  for  some  years  been  devoted  to  the  service  of 
the  Lord.  I  have  been  a  poor  and  helpless  cripple, 
unable  to  stand  upon  my  feet,  change  my  position 
in  bed  (where  I  lay  upon  one  side  always),  carry 
my  hand  to  my  head,  or  open  my  jaws  to  receive 
my  food,  ever  since  the  twelfth  year  of  my  age. 
I  am  now  forty-two  years  old,  having  been  in  this 
situation  thirty  long  years. 

I  love  the  Lord  and  his  cause,  and  have  abun- 
dant reason  for  thankfulness  for  the  many  mercies 


90  HISTORY  OF   A   MODERN   MART  YE,. 

and  blessings  which  my  heavenly  Father  so  kindly 
bestows  upon  one  so  unworthy. 

May  God  bless  you  in  your  laudable  undertak- 
ing !  and  may  the  fulness  of  the  blessing  of  the 
gospel  rest  upon  all  who  are  benefited  by  it !  My 
prayers  attend  this  small  donation. 

LIZZIE  O.  SMITH. 

A  TOUCHING  GIFT. 

DEAR  DR.  EDDY,  —  I  copy  and  enclose  to  you 
a  sermon  most  eloquent,  in  the  form  of  a  letter 
to-day  received :  it  is,  to  me,  the  most  valuable 
yet  written  in  connection  with  our  Association. 
The  dollar  seems  to  me  in  some  sense  sacred,  and 
the  tears  that  the  very  sight  of  it  brings  to  my 
heart  will  make  it  better  and  more  tender. 

The  reading  of  this  letter  will  do  much  good,  I 
think.  How  its  patient  thankfulness  puts  to 
shame  our  querulous  ingratitude !  How  the 
thought  of  the  awful  visitation  permitted  for  some 
mysterious  reason  to  this  Christian  woman  may 
help  us  to  be  patient  with  our  lighter  burdens 
and  less  enduring  griefs.  Use  the  letter  as  you 
like.  Perhaps  names  should  be  suppressed. 
Truly  yours, 

FRANCES  E.  WDLLARD, 

Cor.  Sec*y. 

I  can  hardly  close  this  deeply  interesting  narra- 
tive without  noting  another  severe  trial  which  our 


HISTORY  OF    A  MODERN   MARTYR.  91 

sister  has  passed  through  of  late.  That  fond 
father,  of  whom  she  has  spoken  so  freely  and  af- 
fectionately, has  passed  on  to  the  realms  of  glory, 
to  wait  at  the  gate  for  his  daughter,  who  for  about 
forty  years  has  been  purifying  in  the  furnace  of 
affliction.  He  was  well  prepared  for  the  exchange 
of  earth  for  heaven,  of  sorrow  for  joy,  and  of  pain 
for  pleasure.  He  was  indeed  a  kind  father,  and 
even  to  the  last  he  was  full  of  affection ;  and,  when 
he  could  not  speak,  he  wanted  to  be  placed  where 
he  could  see  his  daughter,  who  could  not  leave 
her  prison-bed,  even  to  see  her  father  die.  It  was 
a  tender  scene  but  a  holy  triumph ;  for  the  very 
room  was  filled  with  the  divine  presence,  and  the 
kind  and  attendant  angels  carried  the  immortal 
spirit,  to  take  up  its  abode  with  the  blood-washed 
around  the  throne. 

Some  months  ago  Sister  Lizzie  reminded  me 
that  her  letters  may  be  called  for,  and  that  a  biog- 
raphy was  to  be  written,  and  that  Mrs.  Lawrence 
had  been  thinking  of  it  for  years.  Little  did  I 
then  think  that  such  a  lot  would  fall  to  me. 

Mrs.  Lawrence,  at  Lizzie's  request,  sent  me  all 
the  material  she  had  gathered ;  saying  that  she  had 
commenced  the  work,  -but,  finding  no  publisher 
willing  to  undertake  it,  had  been  waiting  for  fur- 
ther light,  and  would  be  rejoiced  if  I  carried  it 
through.  Now  I  must  give  a  few  quotations  from 
my  letters. 

"  I  am  glad  your  experience  at  G.  was  so  pleas- 


92  HISTORY   OF   A  MODERN  MARTYR. 

urable :  we  now  and  then  have  such  a  bright 
spot  in  memory's  waste.  My  heart  has  been  won- 
derfully drawn  out  for  you  and  your  success  in 
your  labors.  I  have  been  praying  for  that  place, 
ever  since  you  requested  my  prayers  for  it.  I  be- 
lieve you  will  see  a  mighty  work  there.  O  my 
brother !  within  a  few  days  I  have  felt  like  open- 
ing my  mouth  wide  for  you,  and  I  felt  that  I  had 
a  great  deal  of  appropriating  faith  in  your  behalf ; 
but,  oh  !  you  do  not  know  when  I  think  of  my  own 
place,  how  sad  I  feel.  My  tears  have  been  my 
meat  day  and  night.  I  often  feel  that  I  cannot  stay 
here  if  there  is  not  a  change  for  the  better.*' 

This  letter  serves  to  show  the  tone  of  other  let- 
ters ;  and  I  wish  to  record  that  I  have  great  faith 
in  the  prayers  of  this  sick  sister,  and  count  my- 
self happy  to  have  made  her  acquaintance,  and 
expect  she  will  shine  in  glory  far  brighter  than 
those  who  have  had  greater  privileges. 

This  book  might  have  been  made  much  larger ;  but 
I  have  endeavored  to  keep  to  the  point,  and  have 
suppressed  every  thing  unnecessary  to  give  a  full 
picture  of  the  life  and  sufferings  in  question.  Then, 
a  small  book  will  sell  faster  than  a  large  one. 

There  are,  no  doubt,  many  errors  that  have  es- 
caped my  review ;  but  it  is  as  perfect  as  I  had  time 
to  make  it :  and  it  is  a  comfort  to  me  that  Gabriel 
in  glory  can  do  no  better  than  he  can ;  and  this  I 
have  done,  and  I  know  God  approves.  Sister 


HISTORY  OF   A  MODERN   MARTYR.  93 

Smith  is  in  her  usual  health,  and  may  live  many 
years  in  this  life ;  and  I  trust  that  this  book  will 
be  a  source  of  income  to  her,  and  a  great  blessing 
to  tens  of  thousands  that  may  read  it. 

Sister  Smith's  experience  is  another  testimony 
to  the  truth  of  the  old  Bible  and  Wesleyan  doc- 
trine of  sin  in  believers,  and  to  the  work  of  entire 
sanctification  by  the  immediate  operation  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  which  is  not  experienced  at  the  time 
we  are  converted,  nor  by  any  process  of  growth, 
but  by  the  Spirit  of  God  in  answer  to  an  all  con- 
secrating and  appropriating  act  of  faith. 

In  her  last  letter  to  me,  July  10,  1874,  she 
writes,  — 

"  Your  faith  has  strengthened  my  faith  ;  and  I 
believe  the  work  will  go  through.  If  so,  I  hope 
it  will  do  '  mountains  of  good,'  as  you  think  it 
will.  May  the  Lord  abundantly  reward  you, 
my  brother,  for  trying  to  do  me  so  much  good ! 
Though  my  health  is  about  as  usual,  yet  I  some- 
times think  I  shall  not  need  the  love  and  care  of 
my  earthly  friends  a  great  while  longer ;  but,  of 
course,  this  is  known  only  to  Him  who  knoweth 
all  things.  However  this  may  be,  while  I  live, 
I  want  God  should  glorify  himself  in  me,  that  I 
may  be  eternally  glorified  with  him." 


94  HISTORY   OF    A   MODERN   MARTYR. 


TESTIMONIES  AND  INCIDENTS. 

Since  writing  the  above,  the  following  have  been  sent,  and  I 
give  them  room,  as  they  give  additional  evidence  of  the  power 
of  salvation  in  Miss  Smith. 

Eev.  John  H.  Sherman  was  acquainted  with  Miss  Smith,  be- 
ing born  in  the  same  town.  He  gives  the  following :  — 

"In  the  year  1850  I  saw  her  for  the  first  time.  I  was  then 
eleven  years  of  age.  Here  I  learned  my  first  lesson  of  the 
reality  of  religion,  —  of  what  it  could  do  for  man. 

"I  was  moved  with  pity  at  what  seemed  to  me  such  a  sad 
condition.  I  could  only  look  on  with  astonishment  to  see  how 
happy  she  seemed  to  be. 

"  She  then  had  a  little  musical  instrument  fixed  across  her 
bed,  which  she  called  a  melodeon.  It  was  a  very  ingenious  con- 
trivance, and  it  would  have  been  worth  considerable  to  see  her 
manage  to  play  on  it.  It  would  certainly  have  been  a  difficult 
matter  to  have  convinced  any  one,  by  testimony,  that  such  a 
crippled  form  as  she  could  i  play  on  a  melodeon.'  What  seemed 
more  passing  strange  to  my  youthful  mind  was,  all  her  tunes 
and  songs  were  of  a  cheerful  and  joyful  nature. 

"Her  conversation  was  all  cheerful;  and  happiness  seemed 
to  fairly  shine  in  her  face. 

"  Arriving  home,  I  said  to  my  father,  '  I  have  seen  a  strange 
sight  to-day!  A  poor  cripple  girl  (I  took  her  to  be  much 
younger  than  she  really  was),  that  cannot  move,  but  a  very 
little,  a  single  joint  in  her  whole  body,  and  never  expects  to 
get  well,  or  to  leave  her  bed,  or  turn  over  in  it,  in  all  her  life; 
and  yet  she  is  the  happiest  creature  I  ever  saw.  What  makes 
her  so  ? '  She  always  appeared  to  me  to  be  the  happiest  per- 
son in  the  world. 

"  The  following  year  I  found  the  same  dear  Saviour  precious 
to  my  soul,  for  I  was  converted. 

"In  1852  I  saw  her  at  camp-meeting:  she  staid  in  our  tent. 
I  gathered  much  from  her  that  has  often  been  a  help  to  me, 
and  the  precious  seed  sowed  by  her  constant  efforts  to  pro- 
claim Jesus  to  some  one  will  be  seen  in  eternity.  One  scene, 
especially,  made  a  deep  and  lasting  impression  on  my  heart, 
though  more  than  a  score  of  years  are  past.  The  whole  scene 
presents  as  lively  a  picture  in  my  mind  as  though  it  was  but 
yesterday. 

"We  were  having  prayer-meeting  in  Eastford  tent,  on  Dan- 
ielsonville  camp-ground. 

"A  large  crowd  of  persons  were  gathered  about  the  door  of 
our  tent;  Sister  Lizzie  lay  on  her  little  cot  at  the  door  of  the 
tent,  in  the  shade  just  outside  the  tent,  the  whole  front  of  the 
it-lit  being  open.  The  crowd  (mainly  young  people)  were  look- 
ing upon  her  with  .surprise  arid  pity;  quite  a  number  of  these 


HISTORY  OF   A  MODERN  MARTYR.  -  95 


were  strong,  robust-looking  young,  men.  I  shall  never  forget 
the  following  words  (she  spoke  them  in  an  earnest  exhorta- 
tion) :  — 

"'Young  friends,  you  look  strong  and  healthy.  You  look 
upon  me  with  an  eye  of  pity.  I  want  to  tell  you  I  am  happy 
in  Jesus.  I  do  not  know  you,  —  what  your  wealth  or  position  iu 
life  may  be ;  but,  with  all  your  health  and  whatever  your  wealth 
or  prospects  in  life  may  be,  if  you  have  not  the  religion  of 
Jesus,  I  would  not  change  places  with  any  of  you.'  " 

Rev.  1ST.  Goodrich,  her  former  pastor,  says,  — 

"  Having  been  acquainted  with  the  subject  of  this  brief  nar- 
rative, for  more  than  twelve  long  dreary  years  of  physical  suffer- 
ing and  glorious  spiritual  triumph,  over  the  world,  the  flesh, 
and  the  devil,  I  hereby  add  my  testimony  to  the  truthfulness 
of  the  statements  herein  so  graphically  delineated.  It  would 
hardly  be  possible  to  overstate  them,  as  no  one  but  herself 
could  imagine  the  mental  and  physical  agony,  that,  in  such  a  life 
of  almost  abject  suffering,  she  has  endured  for  thirty-eight  years 
as  her  common  lot.  Such  a  life  could  not  have  been  made  tol- 
erable, save  by  the  constant  abiding  evidence  of  divine  accep- 
tance, clearly  manifested,  and  continually  realized  and  enjoyed 
in  the  soul. 

'  O  wondrous  grace, 
O  boundless  love ! ' 

"  This  is  not  the  testimony  of  one  individual  merely,  but  the 
universal  testimony  of  all  intelligent  Christians,  not  only  of 
her  own  church,  but  of  other  friends  in  the  various  denomina- 
tions in  the  town  and  vicinity,  and  in  fact  wherever  she  is  best 
known.  I  can  bear  truthful  testimony  also  to  her  benevolence 
and  real  genuine  love  to  Christ  and  his  cause,  exhibited  in  its 
practical  fruits  by  her  systematic  beneficence,  causing  her  (at 
times)  great  self-denial,  which  I  know  it  must  have  cost  her, 
in  order  to  carry  out  her  annual  practice  of  giving  one-tenth  of 
all  her  income  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  both  at  home  and  abroad. 
Her  influence  both  in  the  church  and  community  generally — 
to  the  praise  of  God  be  it  said  —  is  not  second  to  any  person, 
religiously,  in  that  region,  either  as  a  private  Christian  or  a 
class-leader. 

"Her  pastors  have  all  known  that  her  exhortations  and 
prayers  are  a  power  for  good  to  all,  both  saint  or  sinner,  who 
have  had  the  privilege  of  listening  to  them.  The  crippled  body 
is  truly  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Amen." 

The  following  letter  explains  itself :  — 

EAST  THOMPSON,  July  13,  1874. 
REV.  E.  DAVIES. 

Dear  Brother,  —  I  received  a  letter  last  week  from  Sister  L. 
O.  Smith  of  Eastford,  stating  your  purpose  in  giving  to  the 


96  HISTORY  OF   A  MODERN  MARTYR. 


public  some  account  of  her  life  of  suffering,  moral  triumph, 
religious  victory,  and  personal  usefulness,  &c.  The  object  of 
the  narrative  was  to  aid,  if  possible,  the  afflicted  one  to  some  of 
life's  necessities,  of  which  by  her  own  efforts  she  really  is  des- 
titute. This  effort  on  your  part,  without  fee  or  reward,  seems 
to  me  to  be  a  very  noble  one,  and  doubtless  the  promptings  of 
the  blessed  spirit  of  the  Master,  for  which  you  will  have  your 
hundred  fold  in  this  life,  and  in  the  world  to  come  life  eternal. 
Thank  the  Lord!  If  by  Lizzie's  suggestion  I  can  aid  you  in 
any  way,  I  would  do  it  most  cheerfully,  with  this  restriction, 
that  it  be  assigned  only  to  a  former  pastor. 

Yours  very  truly, 

N.   GOODRICH. 

Mr.  Jesse  Gibson  was  a  noted  infidel,  for  whom  Miss  Smith 
felt  a  deep  interest,  and  prayed  much  for  him,  and  sent  him  a 
number  of  letters,  and  they  were  made  a  great  blessing  to  him. 
He  sends  the  following  inscription :  — 

TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  MISS  L.   O.  SMITH. 

INSCBIBED  WITH   CHBISTIAN  TENDEBNESS,  BY  MB.  JESSE   GIB- 
SON, HOPEVILLE,    CONN.,  JULY,    1874. 

"  The  past  of  life,  how  sweet  to  muse, 

When  thou  didst  pray  and  toil 
That  I  might  reason  disabuse, 
Christ's  teachings  reconcile. 

"  The  sleepless  nights  I  mused  are  past, 

The  aching  head  is  well ; 
Beneath  the  cross  my  all  is  cast: 
How  sweet  the  tale  to  tell ! 

"  Thy  form,  dear  friend,  is  paralyzed, 

Contains  a  soul  so  sweet, 
Which  helped  me  to  be  Christianized, 
More  thoughtful,  and  discreet. 

"  Your  Christian  counsel  will  I  keep 

That  I  may  live  and  die ; 
And  ever  in  Jesus  fall  asleep, 
Amid  worlds  of  endless  joy. 

"  Thy  tender  words  will  I  embrace, 

While  logic  stooped,  in  turn, 

To  sip  the  healing  of  his  grace 

Who  doth  for  sinners  yearn. 

"  God  bless  and  comfort  you  always 

As  down  to  death  you  go ; 
In  glory,  God  will  ever  say, 
'  Well  done,  the  work  below.'  " 


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